North Sea hits record 20.4°C amid marine heat wave
12 hours ago
- #Ocean Warming
- #Marine Heatwave
- #Climate Change
- The North Sea reached a record 20.4°C on Wednesday morning near the South Holland coast, exceeding typical temperatures for this time of year.
- A heat wave has affected the sea since late May, with a high-pressure system preventing cloud formation despite the warm water; warm sea conditions in autumn could lead to heavier rain showers.
- The North Sea has been warming by about 0.5°C per decade since the 1980s, with over 90% of excess global heat from greenhouse gases absorbed by oceans.
- Marine life is shifting due to warming: species from warmer southern waters are moving into Dutch areas, while cold-water fish like herring are migrating northward.