North Atlantic cold spot points to weakening ocean circulation

Scientists have identified a persistent cold anomaly in the North Atlantic, dubbed the “cold spot,” that runs counter to the global ocean‑warming trend. The region, located south of Greenland and Iceland, appears up to 1 °C cooler than expected and is linked to a slowdown of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), the oceanic conveyor belt that moves heat northward. Freshwater from accelerated Greenland ice melt reduces surface salinity, hampering the deep‑water formation that drives the AMOC.

At the same time, marine heatwaves are rising sharply worldwide. According to the 2026 Indicators of Global Climate Change report, days of oceanic heat spikes have more than tripled since the early 1990s, reaching a record 65 days in 2025. The excess heat trapped by greenhouse gases is being absorbed by the oceans, amplifying the warming of marine ecosystems, threatening coral reefs, fish stocks and coastal economies.

Researchers warn that a weakened AMOC could alter weather patterns across Europe and the Balkans, potentially bringing cooler conditions to northern Europe while increasing drought risk for Greece, Serbia and other southeastern regions. The combined effects of a cooling Atlantic anomaly and accelerating marine heatwaves underscore the far‑reaching impact of ocean changes on the global climate system.