What's the ocean temperature off Delaware on Memorial Day weekend?
It's finally Memorial Day weekend, and it's unofficially summer in Delaware. But, as the air temperatures continue to mostly climb, less can be said about the ocean temperatures.
According to data from a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration observation station in Lewes, the current water temperature is 61.9 degrees. That's cold; some can handle more than others. Others will probably wait until July to dip their toes in.
That's about where we should be. Data from NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information shows that Lewes' average water temperature hovers around 60 degrees in May. June is the start of the rapid warm-up to an average of 68 degrees. In July, August and September, the temperatures will hover in the low to middle 70s on average.
It's not a guarantee that temperatures will rise to this level consistently. Upwelling of cooler water under the surface can cause temperatures to drop unexpectedly. In July 2024, water temperatures fell into the 50s in Atlantic City because of wind-induced upwelling.
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Water temperatures lag behind air temperatures for a reason. Water has a higher specific heat capacity than air, meaning that water needs more heat for longer intervals than air to heat up and cool down. The difference is slight, but the air temperature in Lewes is highest on average in July while the water temperature peaks one month later.
The cold water temperature and the cool air temperatures for this Memorial Day weekend could put some at risk for cold shock in hypothermia. The National Center for Cold Water Safety warns people to use caution in water below 70 degrees. If you jump in and have trouble breathing or become physically incapacitated by the cold, get helped out of the water and get dry and warm as quickly as possible. Be sure someone can monitor for decreasing body temperatures, which can happen when dry.
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The weather is supposed to be cool but dry, with temperatures at the Delaware beaches peaking in the low 70s under mostly sunny skies for the rest of the holiday weekend.
Shane Brennan covers Wilmington and other Delaware issues. Reach out with ideas, tips or feedback at slbrennan@delawareonline.com.
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: How cold is the ocean off Delaware on Memorial Day weekend?
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