Cape Northumberland Water Temperature and Wetsuit Guide

Cloudy and warm but the water temperature at Cape Northumberland will be noticeably colder than the air today. Most surfers will need a spring wetsuit. Feeling warmer out of the water than in the sea today.

Map of current Australia Surface Water Temperatures based on measurements from oceanographic satellites

Map of current Australia Sea Water Temperature Anomalies (compared with long term averages at this time of year)

(click thumbnails to expand)

Below is a graph of Historical Sea Surface Temperature for Cape Northumberland. This has been derived from analysis of two decades of oceanographic satellite measurements of nearby open water. We have calculated the average water temperature variation around the year as well as the extremes that have been observed on each date.

All of the graphs for the surf breaks presented on Surf-Forecast.com are on the same scale to enable comparison between locations around the world.

Cape Northumberland sea water temperatures peak in the range 16 to 18°C (61 to 64°F) on around the 14th of February and are at their coldest on about the 1st of September, in the range 13 to 14°C (55 to 57°F). The warmest seasonal sea water temperatures at Cape Northumberland in mid February lend themselves to a 4/3mm wetsuit or a 3/2mm suit and 3mm neoprene boots. The coldest sea water temperatures at Cape Northumberland at the beginning of September are ideally suited to a 4/3mm wetsuit + 3mm boots, although a 5/3mm wetsuit may be preferable for longer sessions and cold windy days.

Actual sea surface water temperatures close to shore at Cape Northumberland can vary by several degrees compared with these open water averages. This is especially true after heavy rain, close to river mouths or after long periods of strong offshore winds. Offshore winds cause colder deep water to replace surface water that has been warmed by the sun. Air temperature, wind-chill and sunshine should also be considered before deciding on the kind of wetsuit needed to stay warm when surfing at Cape Northumberland. Refer to our detailed weather forecasts for this information.

Latest surface water temperature for the entire globe. Click the image to view a larger version.