Daily global sea surface temperatures break records for the time of year
7 hours ago
- #El Niño
- #Ocean Warming
- #Climate Change
- Global sea surface temperatures (SST) have exceeded previous records from 2023 and 2024, with C3S reporting 20.86°C on 21 June and Copernicus Marine reporting 21.0°C.
- The record highs are attributed to the onset of El Niño conditions and unusually high SST in several ocean regions, with potential impacts on weather patterns, climate, and marine ecosystems.
- Ocean temperatures outside polar regions have been 0.35°C to 0.73°C warmer than the long-term average over the past three years, reaching record-high anomalies in June.
- The warming reflects both climate change and a strong El Niño event, which is forecasted to reach levels not seen in decades, likely leading to more temperature records.
- Continuous ocean monitoring by Copernicus supports policy and decision-making, with independent data from C3S and Copernicus Marine strengthening scientific conclusions.
- Warmer oceans contribute to extreme weather, sea level rise, marine heatwaves, and ecosystem stress, while El Niño adds atmospheric heat and shifts global weather patterns.
- Record SST values are confirmed by both C3S ERA5 reanalysis and Copernicus Marine GLO12, using combined in-situ and satellite observations for accurate monitoring.
- Scientists are monitoring to determine if the exceedance is temporary, but with a strong El Niño forecasted, new global temperature records are expected in coming months.