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Ocean temperatures reach record high of 21.11 °C
Global sea surface temperatures have reached a new record high of 21.11 °C, according to the Copernicus Climate Change Service. This measurement, recorded on August 24, surpasses the previous record of 21.09 °C set in March 2024. The timing is considered unusual, as peak ocean temperatures typically occur in March and April following the southern hemisphere summer.
Experts attribute this unprecedented warming to the combination of long-term climate change driven by greenhouse gas emissions and a particularly intense and rapidly developing El Niño phenomenon. Oceans currently absorb more than 90% of the excess heat trapped by greenhouse gases on Earth. In the central Pacific, ocean temperature anomalies have reached +2.7 °C, a level seen only once before in 2015.
The warming has significant implications for weather patterns and marine life. In Europe, high ocean temperatures are linked to heatwaves and extreme weather. The Mediterranean has seen significant warming, with some areas reaching temperatures several degrees above historical norms. Such heat can cause mass mortality in marine organisms like corals and sponges and disrupt entire food chains by altering species distribution.
Entities
Copernicus Climate Change Service · European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts · European Union · Jacek Piskozub · National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration · Samantha Burgess · World Meteorological Organization · World Weather Attribution
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 4 SOURCES] The new temperature record exceeds the previous high of 21.09 °C set in March 2024. swiatoze.pl · kaosenlared.net · scienceinpoland.pl · www.noticiasdenavarra.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The temperature record is caused by the combination of global warming and a rapid El Niño event. scienceinpoland.pl
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The ocean temperature anomaly in the central Pacific reached +2.7 °C last week. scienceinpoland.pl
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The western Mediterranean experienced warming of up to 3.1 degrees Celsius. www.noticiasdenavarra.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The record indicates that oceans are under increasing environmental stress. swiatoze.pl · kaosenlared.net · www.noticiasdenavarra.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] Global sea surface temperatures reached a record high of 21.11 °C on August 24. swiatoze.pl · kaosenlared.net · scienceinpoland.pl · www.noticiasdenavarra.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Oceans absorb over 90% of the excess heat trapped on Earth by greenhouse gases. swiatoze.pl · kaosenlared.net
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Climate models indicate a 100% probability that El Niño will persist until the end of the year. scienceinpoland.pl