White Sea Water Temperature Today & Regional Overview
We find every place where you can swim and show you the water temperature there today and throughout the year.
Current Water Temperature
The water temperature in the White Sea today ranges from 11.2°C (Severodvinsk, Russia) to 11.2°C (Severodvinsk, Russia).
As of today, the minimum water temperature in the White Sea ranges from 50°F (10°C) to 54°F (12°C). The water is slightly warmer, but still cool for most people. Swimming in such conditions is possible, but for most people, the time spent in the water should be limited to avoid hypothermia. Even experienced swimmers may feel discomfort if they stay in the water for too long. To improve comfort and safety, a wetsuit can be used.
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.
Sea Temperature Trends
Over the past month, the water temperature in the White Sea has increased by 3°C. In general, the sea water temperature remains within the statistical range for this time of year.
Water Temperature and Swimming Conditions Throughout the Year
| Month | Min | Max |
|---|---|---|
| January | -2°C | 2°C |
| February | -3°C | 2°C |
| March | -2°C | 3°C |
| April | -2°C | 2°C |
| May | -3°C | 11°C |
| June | 3°C | 18°C |
| July | 10°C | 22°C |
| August | 10°C | 19°C |
| September | 5°C | 15°C |
| October | 1°C | 11°C |
| November | 0°C | 6°C |
| December | -2°C | 3°C |
The White Sea is a cold, shallow inlet of the Arctic Ocean and its water temperatures reflect that northern setting. During winter the surface is typically at or just below freezing, roughly 0 °C to about −1.8 °C in open water before ice forms, and most of the sea becomes ice-covered from late autumn into spring. As ice breaks up in spring, surface temperatures generally rise from around 0 °C to 3–5 °C. In summer the sea warms unevenly: the northern basins often stay cool, around 4–8 °C, while the more sheltered southern bays and shallow inlets can reach higher values, typically 8–15 °C and in unusually warm seasons occasionally approaching 18 °C. In autumn the surface cools again to roughly 2–8 °C before refreezing begins.
Swimming Conditions
Swimming in the White Sea is therefore limited by temperature rather than formal prohibition. Recreational bathing is most practical in late summer in the warmer southern bays when water temperatures are at their seasonal peak, though even then conditions are cold compared with temperate seas and exposure should be brief. In winter, the sea is not suitable for normal swimming because of ice cover and near-freezing water, although organized ice‑hole swimming and winter bathing are practiced locally with specific safety measures and supervision. Anyone considering entering the White Sea should be aware of hypothermia risks, prepare appropriate clothing or wetsuits, and follow local guidance and safety arrangements.