The planet’s oceans have reached unprecedented temperatures for this time of year, breaking the all-time June record. According to new data from Europe’s Copernicus Climate Change Service, average global sea surface temperatures reached 69.5 degrees Fahrenheit on June 21, edging above the June record last set in 2024.
Implications for Global Weather and Marine Life
The record was echoed in another data set from the Copernicus Marine Service, which found sea temperatures hit 69.38 Fahrenheit on June 21, beating the previous record by 0.18 degrees Fahrenheit. The abnormal heat has been driven by the onset of El Niño, a natural climate pattern characterized by unusually warm waters along the equatorial tropical Pacific Ocean.
Experts are expressing concern about the implications of rising sea surface temperatures for global weather patterns and marine life. Hotter oceans can fuel heat waves, energize storms, and increase evaporation, leading to extreme rainfall and flooding. Ocean heat can also lead to the mass bleaching of coral reefs, the death of other marine life, and increased sea level rise.
Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.
