Europe’s warming seas spark record marine heat waves, study shows

Climate change is driving unprecedented marine heat waves around Europe, with the Atlantic and Mediterranean seas several degrees hotter than normal and some areas up to 6°C above average. The World Weather Attribution consortium finds warming is the main cause, noting July Mediterranean temps around 27°C and even higher in open water off Mallorca. The study estimates regionwide warming of about 2°C in the Western Mediterranean, 1.4°C in Iberian waters, and 1.3°C in Irish seas, with 90% of the Bay of Biscay and 70% of the Eastern Mediterranean experiencing heat waves compared with far lower odds in a world without warming. These changes threaten ecosystems, boost jellyfish populations, affect fisheries and coastal infrastructure, and can amplify storm severity along Europe’s coasts.