
Global Ocean Heat Reaches Record as El Niño Strengthens
Global ocean surface temperatures outside polar regions reached 21.1C (70F), the hottest on record, driven by El Niño atop decades of human-caused warming. Measurements from buoys, ships and satellites show a narrow margin above previous records, with El Niño expected to strengthen further and possibly push the record higher again in the coming years. Warmer seas can fuel extreme weather, raise sea levels and harm marine life, with widespread marine heatwaves and notable warmth around Europe.












