Difference Between Air and Sea Temperature

[tom77falcons]

Originally Posted by Joe90

I guess it's warmed up since those maps that Cambium posted, when it was 56F and even cooler closer to shore -which would be cold for the latitude.

It certainly shows how the sea temperature can fluctuate there, much more than in Oceanic climates. All of the times I was out on the water this past winter, and the only change in water temperature, was the gradual seasonal decline. Even if temperatures were around freezing, there would be no noticeable difference from the day before.

The west coast of the US is more like that. Don't you ever have upwelling? That can dramatically change water temps any time of the year. All depends on the wind direction.

[Joe90]

Originally Posted by tom77falcons

The west coast of the US is more like that. Don't you ever have upwelling? That can dramatically change water temps any time of the year. All depends on the wind direction.

No upwelling here. The only comparable event would be when there has been a period of relatively calm sunny weather that has allowed surface temperatures to get a few degrees above average, then a particularly strong sea breeze or a warm front comes through mixing layers back down to average temperatures.

The example you posted back in your summer, of a nearby beach dropping to 11C/52F due to upwelling, is unheard of here.

[Cambium]

Originally Posted by Joe90

I didn't know that the Gulf could get so cold.

Check out the Dec 20 vs Jan 9 Gulf of Mexico water temp comparison. A bit West of that purple spot in Southern Louisiana bottomed at 44.4° on 1/7.




From the most recent Arctic flow, hopefully more folks understand that the water temps can only control the air over land when the flow is in its favor.. Point being, it was in the 20s and 30s down south with the Gulf mostly being Upper 60s/70s (22-25C). Pretty cool stuff.