Doc Browns Water Temperature and Wetsuit Guide

Extremely low water temperature (4 °C) at Doc Browns is close to freezing. Even with a thick quality winter wetsuit, neoprene hood, gloves and boots it will be difficult for surfers to stay in the sea for very long today. Dangerously cold and cloudy, with below freezing wind chill temperatures (-5 °C).

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 Doc Browns. 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.

Doc Browns sea water temperatures peak in the range 16 to 20°C (61 to 68°F) on around the 10th of August and are at their minimum on about the 1st of March, in the range 2 to 3°C (36 to 37°F). The warmest Doc Browns sea water temperatures in early to mid August require something like a 3/2mm fully sealed wetsuit. The minimum sea water temperatures at Doc Browns 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 at the beginning of March.

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