Zud Water Temperature and Wetsuit Guide

The water temperature (5 °C / 41 °F) at Zud is very cold today and the windchill (0 °C / 32 °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 Netherlands Surface Water Temperatures based on measurements from oceanographic satellites

Map of current Netherlands 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 Zud. 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.

Zud sea water temperatures peak in the range 16 to 20°C (61 to 68°F) on around the 16th of August and are at their lowest on about the 23rd of February, in the range 2 to 8°C (36 to 46°F). The maximum Zud sea water temperatures in the middle of August require something like a 3/2mm fully sealed wetsuit. The lowest sea water temperatures at Zud 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 fourth week of February.

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