Hudson Bay Water Temperature Today & Regional Overview

Current Water Temperature

The water temperature in the Hudson Bay today ranges from -0.7°C (Akulivik, Canada) to 5.5°C (Havre-Saint-Pierre, Canada).

As of today, the minimum water temperature in the Hudson Bay ranges less than 41°F (5°C). Such water is extremely cold and not recommended for swimming without proper preparation. In these conditions, the risk of hypothermia is very high, and prolonged exposure to the water can be hazardous to your health. If you decide to swim, it is important to have the appropriate gear, such as a wetsuit. Typically, only experienced swimmers or those who practice winter swimming venture into such waters.

It is important to note that these swimming tips and recommendations apply only in good weather. When the air temperature is below 68°F (20°C), and sometimes even below 77°F (25°C), swimming can be unpleasant even with relatively high water temperatures.

Water Temperature and Swimming Conditions Throughout the Year

Month	Min	Max
January	-3°C	2°C
February	-3°C	2°C
March	-3°C	2°C
April	-4°C	5°C
May	-4°C	9°C
June	-4°C	13°C
July	-3°C	16°C
August	-1°C	17°C
September	-2°C	16°C
October	-1°C	14°C
November	-2°C	10°C
December	-3°C	6°C

Hudson Bay’s waters are cold for most of the year and vary strongly by season and location. In winter the surface temperature sits around 0 °C and can be at or just below freezing in places where salinity is low, with extensive sea ice cover across much of the bay. In spring, as ice breaks up, surface temperatures typically range from 0 °C to about 5 °C. Summer brings the warmest conditions in the southern shallows, where surface temperatures commonly reach roughly 7 °C to 15 °C in late summer; farther north and in deeper or more open areas the surface often remains much cooler, frequently between 2 °C and 6 °C. In autumn the water cools again, dropping from summer highs through roughly 5 °C to 10 °C and back toward freezing as ice begins to form.

Swimming Conditions

Swimming in Hudson Bay is not widely practiced in the way it is at temperate beaches because of the persistent cold, short warm season and safety hazards. Where beaches are accessible, some people do enter the water during the brief warmer months, but the cold temperatures—even in summer—make hypothermia and cold shock real risks for unprotected swimmers. Ice, strong currents, remote coastlines and encounters with wildlife add further concerns. As a result, recreational swimming is effectively limited to those prepared with proper insulation (wetsuits or drysuits), local knowledge, and safety measures; casual bathing for extended periods is generally not recommended.

Popular Resorts with the Warmest Water Today