Northwest Dive Club

I have dove Neah Bay twice in the past. August 2012 and August 2013. I didn't log the water temps but do remember being cold after all of the dives. I just dove Seiku Rocks and Neah Bay breakwater this last weekend and didn't record a water temp below 58 deg! Max depth was 35'. I was practically sweating in my dry suit. And yes I was using the same suit and same undergarments used on the past dives. Does this temp seem abnormally high?

It was a fun trip

Seems pretty warm based on my experience too. I would be curious how the temp was further away from the breakwater and the shallows.

Sounds like a fun trip!

We're used to the cold upwelling waters in Puget Sound. Sea Surface Temperature (SST) out in the ocean, however, can be much warmer and affect Neah Bay. Here's the latest chart from NOAA -- notice how the SSTs near the entrance to the Strait of Juan de Fuca are a toasty 15 C (59F) compared to 11C (52F) or colder in Puget Sound.
Source: https://www.ospo.noaa.gov/Products/ocean/sst/contour/

Thanks for the link to the surface temp map. It was a great trip both above and below the surface!

My guess is that since you were relatively shallow that accounted for the warmer temps. 10 degrees colder than what you experienced is not uncommon. Two great dives!

Are you guys still diving at the Neah Bay?

Sidjoy wrote: ↑Sat Dec 07, 2019 9:25 am Are you guys still diving at the Neah Bay?

This trip was back in September.

Sadly, the news last night was talking about a return of The Blob, with temps again running 4-5 degrees F above normal. Not good news for local ecosystems or weather/climate trends...