climate1 month ago
Global Ocean Heat Shatters Millennial Records Amid El Niño Surge
Global average sea surface temperatures reached a new all-time high of 21.1°C (70°F) in late August 2026, surpassing the previous record from March 2024. According to the Copernicus Climate Change Service, this peak may represent the warmest ocean conditions in at least 12,000 years, potentially matching levels from the last interglacial period 125,000 years ago. The record was driven by a rapidly intensifying El Niño and widespread marine heatwaves, with 42% of the global ocean currently affected. This extreme warmth is exacerbating storms, droughts, and wildfires across multiple continents.