Columbia St Water Temperature and Wetsuit Guide

The water temperature (14 °C / 57 °F) at Columbia St is quite cool. If the sun does come out as forecast, it should feel warm enough to surf in a good sealed spring wetsuit. Some surfers would prefer to wear gloves and boots too. Effective windchill factor of (12 °C / 54 °F) will make the air and water feel about the same temperature.

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

Map of current United States 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 Columbia St. 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.

Columbia St sea temperatures peak in the range 27 to 29°C (81 to 84°F) on around the 19th of July and are at their minimum on about the 17th of February, in the range 18 to 22°C (64 to 72°F). Year round warm sea temperatures at Columbia St climb to their warmest in the third week of July. Even then a rash vest and board shorts should be fine for surfing at any time of year. Columbia St sea temperatures are minimum in the middle of February. Surfers should use a 2mm long sleeve shorty or a 3/2mm spring wetsuit if the wind is up.

Actual sea surface water temperatures close to shore at Columbia St 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 Columbia St. 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.