By Globe News Report Staff
World’s Oceans Hit Highest Temperature Ever Recorded, with average sea surface temperatures reaching 21.1°C (70°F) over the weekend. According to Europe’s Copernicus Climate Change Service, this breaks the previous record of 21.09°C, set in March 2024.
Why the Timing Is Unusual
Ocean temperatures usually peak in March or April, not in August. That’s because the Southern Hemisphere holds more ocean area. Its summer ends around that time each year. Scientists say breaking the record months early is a troubling sign.
Copernicus deputy director Samantha Burgess said the record shows an ocean under growing stress. She explained that a strengthening El Niño is adding extra heat. That heat comes on top of decades of warming caused by humans.
A Growing El Niño
El Niño is a natural weather pattern. It warms parts of the Pacific Ocean and affects weather worldwide. This year’s El Niño is expected to keep strengthening into the winter. Some forecasters warn it could become one of the strongest in centuries. Scientists say ocean temperatures could climb even higher before it peaks.
Some researchers believe the oceans may be the warmest they’ve been in thousands of years. One environmental studies professor suggested ocean temperatures could be the highest since roughly 125,000 years ago. This is difficult to confirm with certainty.
Why This Matters
Warmer oceans can fuel more powerful storms. They can raise sea levels and harm marine life such as coral reefs. They also absorb carbon dioxide less effectively. This weakens one of the planet’s natural defenses against climate change.
Former NOAA chief Jane Lubchenco said an ocean this warm can disrupt weather patterns. She added that it threatens food security and marine ecosystems.
Regions far from the Pacific are also seeing unusual warmth. Waters near the UK have experienced marine heatwave conditions for more than three years, according to one ocean scientist. Temperatures there have been well above normal this summer.
Sources: BBC, Al Jazeera, and The Week.