World's Oceans Hit Record High Temperatures Amid El Niño
Global average sea surface temperatures reached 21.1C on Saturday, exceeding previous records as El Niño strengthens worldwide.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Global sea surface temperatures outside polar regions hit a record 21.1C
- Surpasses the previous record of 21.09C set across three days in March 2024
- Scientists warn temperatures are spiking before El Niño reaches its peak
- Oceans absorb over 90% of excess heat trapped by human greenhouse gases
The average surface temperature of the planet's seas outside polar regions reached 21.1C (70F) on Saturday, according to data from the European Copernicus climate change service. That figure edges past the previous record of 21.09C recorded on three separate days in March 2024, remaining far above the seasonal average for this time of year.
The dataset relies on sea temperatures measured 10m (32ft 10in) below the surface using combined readings from buoys, ships, and satellites to produce global estimates. While the margin of the new record is narrow and global estimates carry some uncertainty, researchers emphasize that the timing of the spike is particularly striking.
Worldwide sea temperatures typically peak annually in March or April at the end of the southern hemisphere's summer, rather than in August. Because the southern hemisphere contains a larger portion of the planet's ocean surface, it exerts a stronger influence on yearly averages. Scientists are particularly alarmed that oceans are already this hot before the natural El Niño weather pattern reaches its anticipated peak.
El Niño introduces unusually warm waters to the eastern and central tropical Pacific Ocean, expanding warm areas and driving up global average temperatures. Researchers expect the phenomenon to strengthen continuously until Christmas, warning it could become the strongest in centuries and push ocean temperatures even higher.
"This record is another clear signal of an ocean under growing stress."
The premature breaking of ocean temperature records underscores how rapidly thermal energy is accumulating within the global climate system. Beyond the short-term impact of El Niño, decades of cumulative greenhouse gas emissions from human activities have established a higher baseline temperature. This systemic warming triggers severe cascading effects across marine ecosystems and accelerates extreme weather events globally.
Dr Jeremy Grist, a senior research fellow at the National Oceanography Centre in Southampton, noted that breaking records this early serves as an early indicator of El Niño's growing intensity. He added that barring unforeseen changes, the ocean temperature record could be broken again in March or April 2027. Waters far beyond the Pacific are also exceptionally warm, including areas near the UK and Europe, where the western English Channel experienced continuous marine heatwave conditions for over three years, peaking at 7C above normal in July.
Scientists reiterate that widespread ocean warming clearly points to human-caused climate change, as oceans absorb more than 90% of excess heat from fossil fuel emissions. Warmer waters not only fuel more intense storms and coastal land heatwaves by reducing sea breeze cooling, but they also expand in volume to raise sea levels and devastate habitats like coral reefs.
Source: BBC Science & Environment
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