How much does winter(cold water temps)slow you down from diving in the continental US?
You'll get a wide range of answers for the wide range of winter water temps in the "continental US".
For drysuit divers here in the NE, I'll bet water temp isn't the biggest factor even though it drops to the mid-30's.
For me, vis and topside weather and sea conditions have become more important, and frequent winter storms make those pretty bad here in the NE.
New England winter weather seems to be keeping me out of the water more and more the last few years....
Dave C