Introduction

We have touched on this within a number of sections from looking at the Atlantic generally and current flows to forecasting and while looking at Bermuda.

We are interested in the sea temperature for several reasons, attractiveness as a resort, insulation requirements, use in cooling and heating and the temperature difference in relation to the ability to use this for generating electricity and creating fresh water.

Surface temperature

Sea surface temperature is largely controlled by the flow of current and winds. 

From all the information we have available we anticipate it will be around or a little warmer than the same temperature as the deep sea around Bermuda. The deep sea around Bermuda may be slightly cooler than the shallow bays.

Bermuda average temperatures by month

It is stressed these are average daily figures. However while air temperature may vary, sea temperature is fairly constant. While the current is from the same direction.

See the information on climate for both the Azores and Bermuda on this site, and links to get all the data you want.

Deep water temperature

Near the equator the temperature at the surface and deep is not greatly different, as you move further north the difference increases until you get much further north when the surface is also cold.

Encyclopedia Britannica suggests the deep water temperature at 3,000 ft is 41F and at the bottom 36.5F. Some suggest that water flowing around or over a seamount will mix the deep water dropping the temperature of the intermediate depth water.

In the section on OTEC power generation, we show links to some sites that have charts of sea temperature differences at depth. This whole topic area however clearly needs questioning as it differs in detail from some of the information discussed here.

Other information

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/forecast.html is an American site, the area covered is mostly too far to the south, but may be interesting in looking at variation,, and where the sea water is coming from.

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Last updated: October 09, 2002.