Driftwoods Water Temperature and Wetsuit Guide

(Santa Barbara, USA)

Today's Driftwoods sea temperature is 14.9 °C

(Which is 1.0°C warmer than normal for this time of year)

Mean: 13.9 °C
Range: 12.4 °C to 15.4 °C
Statistics for 05 May (1981–2005)

    Today, many surfers would wear a spring wetsuit.

    Sunny with pleasantly warm air temperatures (feels like 20 °C) at Driftwoods, yet the sea remains several degrees colder than the air. Most surfers will need a spring wetsuit though a summer suit or even a shorty may suffice for a short session.

    United States Sea Water Temperature

    Map of current United States
    Surface Water Temperatures
    based on measurements from oceanographic satellites
    United States Water Temperature Anomaly

    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 Driftwoods. 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.

    Driftwoods Water Temperature Graph

    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.

    Driftwoods sea temperatures peak in the range 16 to 19°C (61 to 66°F) on around the 3rd of September and are at their minimum on about the 26th of February, in the range 12 to 15°C (54 to 59°F). The warmest seasonal sea temperatures at Driftwoods at the start of September lend themselves to a 4/3mm wetsuit or a 3/2mm suit and 3mm neoprene boots. The minimum sea temperatures at Driftwoods in the fourth week of February 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.

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

     

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