Data from the European Copernicus climate change service indicates that ocean surface temperatures outside polar regions have reached their highest level on record. The average temperature of 21.1C (70F) recorded on Saturday marginally exceeds the previous peak of 21.09C documented in March 2024 and substantially exceeds seasonal norms for the time of year.
Scientists emphasize that the timing of this record is particularly significant. Global ocean temperatures typically reach their annual peak in March or April, corresponding to the end of summer in the southern hemisphere. The August occurrence suggests heightened warming pressure, as the southern hemisphere contains more of the planet’s ocean surface and therefore exerts greater influence on average sea temperatures. The record measurement is based on data collected from buoys, ships, and satellites measuring temperatures approximately 10 meters below the surface.
El Niño, a natural weather phenomenon characterized by unusually warm waters in the tropical Pacific Ocean, continues strengthening and is projected to reach peak intensity near the end of the year. Scientists have indicated that this El Niño system is on track to become the strongest in centuries. The combination of existing record temperatures with El Niño’s ongoing intensification raises expectations that ocean temperature records may be broken again during the typical peak season of March or April next year.
Warmer ocean temperatures produce cascading environmental effects. They can intensify extreme weather by providing storms with additional moisture and energy, raise sea levels by thermal expansion, and stress marine ecosystems including coral reefs. Scientists attribute the broad warming pattern across ocean regions worldwide, including areas far from the Pacific El Niño zone such as waters around the UK and Europe, to long-term human-caused climate change. The oceans absorb more than 90 percent of excess heat from greenhouse gas emissions, primarily from fossil fuel combustion.
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