St Catharines Water Temperature and Wetsuit Guide

Water temperature (1 °C / 35 °F) at St Catharines is close to freezing today and the windchill (0 °C / 32 °F) will make tha air temperature seem similarly cold. You'll need a thick hooded winter wetsuit as well as neoprene gloves and boots and the forecast cloudiness won't make it feel any better.

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

Map of current Canada 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 St Catharines. 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.

St Catharines water temperatures peak in the range 18 to 24°C (64 to 75°F) on around the 7th of August and are at their coldest on about the 15th of February, in the range 1 to 2°C (34 to 36°F). St Catharines water temperatures are maximum in the first part of August. Surfers should use a 2mm long sleeve shorty or a 3/2mm spring wetsuit if the wind is up. The coldest water temperatures at St Catharines 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 mid February.

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