I know there have been threads started on this in the past, but measuring water temperature with an offshore buoy is grossly inaccurate. It is misleading this time of year, but when it really becomes a nuisance is summertime where a few degrees could mean the difference between trunks or a 3/2 after an upwelling. Other than that, this site is great and after years of using it this is my only suggestion for improvement...so keep up the great work! As for the users.. I'm not sure where you gather your nearshore temperature readings, but I've been using the following page and found it to be quite accurate at my local. http://www.nodc.noaa.gov/dsdt/cwtg/catl.html
The sst\'s didn\'t update since New Years Eve. Fixing the issue now. FYI, we use nearshore buoy's where appropriate, and satellite data where buoys are far away. The satellite data is pretty good, but you have to use the day or two before (its not live), so as I"m sure you know the water temps can change drastically at times. So, its a pretty good setup, but not perfect for those upwelling days.
Wow 8 degree nose dive over the past 3 days! http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/show_plot.php?station=acyn4&meas=wtmp&uom=E&time_diff=-5&time_label=EST Bring on the brain freeze.
How did we all live before Al Gore invented the internet to show us what do do? Here's how I figure out water temperature: It is January, therfore the water is cold.
Hmmm...a long sleeve spring should be fine today in VB Virginia Beach VA 65.8F (01/05/2012 15:50 UTC) http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/show_plot.php?station=44014&meas=wtmp&uom=E&time_diff=-5&time_label=EST Maybe the striper fishermen are pissing on it
if there is a bunch of southerly winds, expect the water temp to be much colder than posted (upwelling)
that buoy is like 30/40 miles off the coast, no point in looking at that buoy for water temps. 44099 is much closer: http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/station_page.php?station=44099 Use the buoy maps on the forecast page to view the dispersion of ocean temps along all the nearshore/offshore buoys.
yeah. it was cold as s#!* body surfing in my spring suit at lunch today. My hands are so cold and numb, I'm typing w/ my nose. jk That bouy must be sitting in the gulf stream. Still, I didn't realize the water was still that warm out there.
The Stream has remained really warm so far this year and has been sending a decent amount of eddies towards the coast. Here in Southeastern NC we have been having a killer Wahoo bite in the Stream as a result. As far as accurate water temps in the specific locales you want to surf: Drive down to your break with a fishing rod and attach a thermometer to the line with a decent bank sinker. Chuck it out as far as you can, wait about 10 minutes, reel it in and read the thermometer. Break the wrist, walk away
