Global ocean surface temperatures have reached a new record high for June, with average temperatures outside the polar regions at 69.5 degrees Fahrenheit, or 20.86 degrees Celsius, according to data from Europe’s Copernicus Climate Change Service.
Ocean Heat and Its Effects
The ocean heat is linked to both long-term human-driven warming and the developing El Niño pattern, which is marked by unusually warm waters in the tropical Pacific. Scientists are watching closely because warmer oceans can affect weather across the globe, including stronger storms, increased evaporation, and extreme rainfall.
Hotter seas can also add stress to marine life, with coral reefs being especially vulnerable when ocean temperatures stay unusually high. Researchers have not yet said whether this June record is temporary or part of a longer shift, but the data adds to growing concern about the pace of ocean warming.
Original reporting: WMAL (Washington DC) — read the source article.
