Water temperature around the world

Water temperature, all around the world

This map shows the temperature of the water in seas, lakes and rivers, recorded by thousands of buoys, tide gauges and stations. It covers 32 countries, from the west coast of North America to the shores of Europe, Asia and Oceania. It is open to everyone, with no account. It updates all day long.

How to read the map

Every marker says where its value comes from. The shape tells what kind of information it is, the colour tells the temperature: blue for cold water, up to orange for warm water.

• Solid disc: a real measurement, taken by an instrument where it sits (buoy, pier, river or lake station).
• Hatched square: an estimate from a satellite or a model, labelled as such.
• Dotted ring: a value inferred from a nearby station, with the distance in kilometres.
• Point crossed out with a “?”: a doubtful measurement, too far from those of the neighbouring stations. It stays visible, with the explanation.

Tap or click a point to open its card: station, source, time of the measurement, the range between the available products and, at sea, the gap from the day's normal.

What water temperature is good for swimming?

Below 15 °C the water is cold: the cold takes your breath away and tires you quickly, even when you swim well. Below 10 °C it is very cold and time in the water must stay short. The map shows a warning in both cases. Between 20 and 25 °C most people find the water pleasant. A lake or a river warms up and cools down faster than the sea: check the time of the measurement.

Where the data comes from

Measurements come from public agencies and open programmes: NOAA, the USGS, Environment and Climate Change Canada, and national hydrological and weather services. Estimates come from satellites (NOAA, NASA) and models. A measurement older than 48 hours is no longer shown.

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