Why are water temps colder then air at this time of year?

Question

Most people won't go into the water this time of year even though it is 80-90 degrees! Is this a nation of wimps, or are the average daily water temps this time of year significantly colder than the average daily air temperatures? Is this true or what and why?

Answer 1

Because the water does a better job of absorbing heat from your hand than the air does. Water sucks heat from your hand, giving you the subjective experience that the water seems much colder.

Answer 2

It takes more energy to warm up water than it does air.  Also, water currents in lakes and rivers keep the water from warming up as fast as air does as they bring up the cooler water to the surface.  It's got to be pretty hot air temp. wise and the water needs to be fairly still for it to warm up much.  

Actually, water temps are always colder than air temps, even in winter.

Answer 3

Water heats up, and cools down slower than land.  For the whole winter season, the water temperature keeps going down and down until the air temperature starts warming up.  So the water temperature is usually at its coldest around March and April.  By that time the air temp is usually in the 70s but the water temp is much cooler. If you want warm water, your best bet is to go swimming around august and the beginning of september.  That is why hurricane peak is in september because the water is at it's warmest, the water had all summer to heat up.  It is very normal to have cool water temps at this time of year and hot air temps.

Now the water temperature is actually warmer than the air temperature in the winter time.  It is just the opposite.  Not sure if you have heard of the polar plunge; it is not too bad because you actually warm up once you get in the water because the air temperature is in the 20s and 30s but the water temperature is in the 50s because it takes almost the whole winter season for the water to cool off to such temperatures

Answer 4

Water has a higher specific heat capacity. That's all. In fall and winter, the water is warmer than the air.