Elwha Water Temperature and Wetsuit Guide

The water temperature (7 °C) at Elwha is very cold. You will need a quality steamer wetsuit, a neoprene hood, gloves and boots. Cloudy, with an effective air temperature of (5 °C), so feeling about the same in the water or out of it.

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 Elwha. 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.

Elwha sea temperatures peak in the range 13 to 16°C (55 to 61°F) on around the 13th of August and are at their coldest on about the 10th of February, in the range 6 to 10°C (43 to 50°F). The maximum sea temperatures at Elwha in the third 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 coldest sea temperatures at Elwha 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 early to mid February.

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