The Open-Water Temperature Thread

[Wildswimmer]

Originally Posted by Dave_G

And we're still in March! Is this a record?

This the first time I've recorded such high temps in March. At this time of year you'd be very lucky to see 10C, let alone 15C

Today, R. Weaver, Frodsham, 28th Mar '12: 15C

Wildswimmer Pete

[KatieBun]

Porthpean this evening, 10.6C. Swam for 40 minutes, to Polmear Rock and back, around 2k. A bit shivery but a lovely swim.

[Wildswimmer]

Queens Dock, Liverpool, 29th Mar '12: 11.5C

Wildswimmer Pete

[Wildswimmer]

R. Wye, Builth Wells, 10-4-12: 8.5C

Surprisingly cold for early April. River in spate and muddy.

Wildswimmer Pete

[Wildswimmer]

R. Weaver, Frodsham, Cheshire, 30th April '12: 9C

Much lower than the 15C recorded at the end of March. Running very fast and very muddy with flotsam all over the sailing club's lawn, so the river must have flooded during the past 36 hrs. Level now is slightly higher than normal. I did enter the water but only for a cold dip - there's no way I'd leave hold of the ladder. I'd end up in mid-stream amongst rest of the floating flotsam swirling past.

Wildswimmer Pete

[MadHighroller]

Brockwell Lido was 11c last Sunday. I only went because I thought it would be about 14c by now. Had a right shock !

Noticed yesterday that the thames is very high, you could just step right in by hampton.

[Joy]

Originally Posted by MadHighroller

Brockwell Lido was 11c last Sunday. I only went because I thought it would be about 14c by now. Had a right shock !

Noticed yesterday that the thames is very high, you could just step right in by hampton.

Guildford Lido is boiling, those new boilers are working a treat

[Brick]

First swim at King Lear's Lake of the year.

But the temperature was an unexpectedly cool 11C.

What happened to those high temperatures we had in March and other times?

At least this year there's more water in the lake, with the recent rain having raised the water level to the highest I've ever seen it. Over the last year the stepping stones the council put in were right out of the water. This year they're completely covered to some depth. The big platform the council built is also fully under water.

[MadHighroller]

I'm assuming that, if the rain continues as it has, the water temp won't warm up that much ?

[Brick]

I wasn't expecting high temperatures, but I certainly wasn't expecting 11C. Does the rain alone make that much difference?

It was the first time I've used my wetsuit since ... since ... can't remember.

[Leprechaun]

Taplow Lake, Wednesday night 12.6C - beautiful conditions for a mile swim after work. Hardest part was not laughing at a wetsuiter struggle for 10 mins to get into his suit and then discover it was wrong way round

Worth a trip if you are in the vicinity http://www.taplow-ows.co.uk/

[Wildswimmer]

Originally Posted by Brick

Does the rain alone make that much difference?

1.) Wettest April on record.
2.) Temperatures 5C below normal.
3.) Rain was starting life as snow and hail falling from clouds embedded in a frigid Northerly.
4.) Persistent Northerly to North Eastern airflow.

Guess what? There's no sight of any change in the pattern with May looking like it is continuing April's unseasonable cold. Needless to say the bank holiday looks set to be "blessed" with appropriately vile weather.

Looking at "thickness" chart for this coming weekend the 528dam thickness line is expected across Scotland. This indicates the boundary denotes an airmass cold enough for snow at sea level. Not very nice in May.

Wildswimmer Pete

[MadHighroller]

Well I'm keeping the wetsuit on for a while longer !

[Brick]

Even colder today. 10.2C.

I may have cheated slightly in terms of putting my face in the water. Or not as the case might be.

[e-fitz]

Poole - Branksome Chine, 10.4 degrees, didn't stop around 200 taking part in the Human Race Speedo Open Water swim series...(although most resorted to wetsuits for assistance....)