Will this years cooler weather affect the kelp growth?

I only dive a couple times a year, usually in may and again later in the summer.

The kelp is usually twice as thick (if not more) in the late summer than it is in May.

To you guys with more diving experience: Do you think the cooler temperatures and rain/clouds we've had slow the kelp growth.

Just curious, I abalone dive near and around the kelp, but hate fighting through it.

It should, but it can still get warmer and then it will go crazy. If you can find the weather windows its nice to go early in the year when its less tangly.

Its usually thinned out early in the season cause the previous years growth gets beat up and ripped out by winter/spring storms. It fills back in with milder weather/ocean conditions and sunlight as the season moves on.....hence its super thick in late summer.  Best days I've had diving were early season, no kelp and 15-20 vis at sea ranch.....we were spotting abs from the surface no problem, will never forget that trip.

Seen alot of kelp lately!

Keep in mind when the weather get's right Giant Kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera ) can grow up to 2 feet (0.6m) per day, under ideal conditions.

 Diving in kelp is where all the good stuff is,fish,abs ,marine life in general. Put a wetsuit on, no weightbelt and crawl around on it till you get comfortable.Learn not to spin around in the kelp but do the kelp crawl until you find an open spot to dive thru.Keep your gear tidy,no loose straps from your fins,weightbelt,mask etc.  I tape fin straps after I adjust them, No tangles,no worries.Learn to use the kelp and it will make for a great dive experience.