Matagorda Water Temperature and Wetsuit Guide

The water temperature (15 °C / 59 °F) at Matagorda is quite cool. If the sun shines as we have forecast, it should feel warm enough to surf in a good spring wetsuit. Effective windchill factor of (19 °C / 66 °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 Matagorda. 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.

Matagorda sea water temperatures peak in the range 28 to 30°C (82 to 86°F) on around the 27th of August and are at their minimum on about the 7th of February, in the range 16 to 20°C (61 to 68°F). Year round warm sea water temperatures at Matagorda climb to their maximum in the last days of August. Even then a rash vest and board shorts should be fine for surfing at any time of year. The minimum Matagorda sea water temperatures in the first part of February require something like a 3/2mm fully sealed wetsuit.

Actual sea surface water temperatures close to shore at Matagorda 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 Matagorda. 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.