The global climate landscape is facing a critical juncture as the European Union's climate monitor warns that ocean temperatures are edging toward record-breaking highs. This surge comes as global conditions shift toward a potentially powerful El Niño weather pattern, raising concerns about the stability of marine ecosystems.
According to Samantha Burgess, the strategic lead for climate at the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), sea surface temperatures (SSTs) in recent days have been just shy of the all-time highs recorded in 2024. With the current month of May already showing significant warming, Burgess indicated that the region is on the verge of new milestones.
"It's a matter of days before we are back to record-breaking ocean SSTs again," Burgess stated, highlighting the urgency of the current warming trend.
Data from the Copernicus Climate Change Service, which is overseen by the ECMWF, reveals that daily sea surface temperatures in April "gradually inched" toward near-record highs. Experts suggest this trend reflects the broader transition to El Niño, which is expected to intensify in the coming months.
The impact is already being felt in specific corridors of the globe. Copernicus reported that April's sea surface temperatures were the second-highest ever measured. Furthermore, intense marine heatwaves have been breaking records in the ocean spanning from the tropical Pacific to the United States, signaling a volatile period for global maritime environments.
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EU climate monitor warns oceans near record highs as El Niño looms
cgtn.com
