Water temperature in Outer Banks (NC) in January
Is it warm enough to swim in Outer Banks in January? Average water temperature in Outer Banks in January is 61.9°F and therefore is not suitable for comfortable swimming. The warmest sea in Outer Banks in January is 70.9°F, and the coldest is 41.9°F. To find out the sea temperature today and in the coming days, go to Current sea temperature in Outer Banks
Changes water temperature in Outer Banks in January 2026, 2025
To get an accurate forecast for the water temperature in Outer Banks for any chosen month, compare two years within a 10 year range using the chart below. In addition to the sea water temperature in Outer Banks, the selected years in the table also show the values of the maximum and minimum temperatures on each of the days of January.
You can choose any other years:
| Day | 2026 | 2025 | Min | Max |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 1 | 59.5°F | 61.5°F | 52.9°F | 70.9°F |
| January 2 | 61°F | 62.1°F | 51.3°F | 69.6°F |
| January 3 | 65.8°F | 63.1°F | 51.3°F | 69.8°F |
| January 4 | 67.1°F | 59.5°F | 51.1°F | 69.1°F |
| January 5 | 67.8°F | 58.1°F | 50.7°F | 68.9°F |
| January 6 | 67.1°F | 63.7°F | 51.8°F | 68.2°F |
| January 7 | 67.3°F | 62.4°F | 50°F | 67.6°F |
| January 8 | 67.8°F | 59.4°F | 49.3°F | 67.8°F |
| January 9 | 65.1°F | 55.6°F | 50.7°F | 68.2°F |
| January 10 | 64.6°F | 53.6°F | 51.8°F | 66.7°F |
| January 11 | 52.3°F | 51.8°F | 66.4°F | |
| January 12 | 51.3°F | 49.1°F | 66.7°F | |
| January 13 | 52.3°F | 50°F | 69.1°F | |
| January 14 | 53.2°F | 53.2°F | 67.1°F | |
| January 15 | 53.1°F | 50.9°F | 67.8°F |
| Day | 2026 | 2025 | Min | Max |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 16 | 51.8°F | 48.9°F | 68.7°F | |
| January 17 | 49.5°F | 46.9°F | 68.7°F | |
| January 18 | 47.5°F | 47.5°F | 67.5°F | |
| January 19 | 51.3°F | 51.3°F | 67.6°F | |
| January 20 | 49.3°F | 49.3°F | 67.6°F | |
| January 21 | 45.1°F | 45.1°F | 67.3°F | |
| January 22 | 42.3°F | 42.3°F | 66.6°F | |
| January 23 | 42.8°F | 42.8°F | 68°F | |
| January 24 | 44.1°F | 44.1°F | 68.5°F | |
| January 25 | 48.4°F | 48.4°F | 68.4°F | |
| January 26 | 51.4°F | 50.2°F | 68.4°F | |
| January 27 | 55.6°F | 47.8°F | 67.8°F | |
| January 28 | 52.2°F | 49.1°F | 68.2°F | |
| January 29 | 52.7°F | 44.4°F | 68°F | |
| January 30 | 54°F | 41.9°F | 67.8°F | |
| January 31 | 54.9°F | 45.7°F | 67.6°F |
Average water temperature in Outer Banks in January over a decade
| 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 |
| 64°F | 64.4°F | 60.3°F | 58.1°F | 62.4°F |
| 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
| 58.3°F | 59.9°F | 57.2°F | 52.9°F | 53.4°F |
Outer Banks sea state in January
Chart comparing the height of waves in Outer Banks in January over the past years. The red line indicates the height of the waves when swimming in the sea is prohibited. To view the current sea conditions, click on the graph.
Outer Banks water temperature during other months:
You can also view information about water temperature for other months by clicking on the month button below
