South Shields Water Temperature and Wetsuit Guide

Sunny with pleasant to warm air temperatures, yet the sea at South Shields remains rather cold. Surfers will need a spring wetsuit and ideally neoprene hood, gloves and boots.

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

Map of current United Kingdom 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 South Shields. 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.

South Shields water temperatures peak in the range 13 to 17°C (55 to 63°F) on around the 10th of August and are at their coldest on about the 18th of February, in the range 4 to 8°C (39 to 46°F). The warmest seasonal water temperatures at South Shields in early to mid August lend themselves to a 4/3mm wetsuit or a 3/2mm suit and 3mm neoprene boots. The coldest water temperatures at South Shields mean that you will need a flexible 6/5/4mm wetsuit or a well fitting 5/4mm wetsuit with gloves and 5mm neoprene booties and a hood to surf here in the third week of February.

Actual sea surface water temperatures close to shore at South Shields 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 South Shields. Refer to our detailed weather forecasts for this information.