Thurso Reef Water Temperature and Wetsuit Guide

The water temperature (7 °C / 45 °F) at Thurso Reef is very cold today and the windchill (4 °C / 39 °F) will make the air temperature seem even colder. You'll need a thick hooded winter wetsuit as well as neoprene gloves and neoprene boots and the cloudiness won't make it feel any warmer

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 Thurso Reef. 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.

Thurso Reef sea water temperatures peak in the range 12 to 15°C (54 to 59°F) on around the 12th of August and are at their lowest on about the 7th of March, in the range 6 to 8°C (43 to 46°F). The highest sea water temperatures at Thurso Reef in the second week of August 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. The lowest sea water temperatures at Thurso Reef 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 first part of March.

Actual sea surface water temperatures close to shore at Thurso Reef 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 Thurso Reef. 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.