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Part of situation: Extreme heat and record sea temperatures across Europe and W (13 clusters)

Global sea surface temperatures reach record 70F in August

sea surface temperature ocean warming climate change El Niño Copernicus Climate Change Service

Global average sea surface temperatures reached a new record high of 21.1°C (70°F) on August 22, according to data from the Copernicus Climate Change Service. This reading surpasses the previous daily record of 21.09°C set in March 2024.

Scientists have expressed concern regarding the timing of this peak. While ocean temperatures typically reach their highest levels in March and April, this record occurred in late August, a period when oceans would normally be cooling.

The warming is attributed to a combination of human-driven climate change and an emerging El Niño pattern in the tropical Pacific. Samantha Burgess, Strategic Lead for Climate at ECMWF, described the event as ‘another clear signal of an ocean under growing stress.’ Experts note that while El Niño redistributes heat, it is operating on top of a much warmer background climate caused by long-term human activity.

Entities

Copernicus Climate Change Service · European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts · Samantha Burgess · World Meteorological Organization

Sources

Global average sea surface temperatures just hit a record 70F, and the timing has scientists worried [www.thecooldown.com]
The World’s Oceans Just Hit Their Hottest Temperature Ever Recorded at a Time of Year When They Should Be Cooling [www.zmescience.com]