The world’s oceans have reached their highest recorded average surface temperature, with scientists warning that an intensifying El Niño could push temperatures even higher.
El Niño Is Underway (jUNE 2026) [image used for illustrative purposes]/NASA Earth Observatory/Lauren Dauphin, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
According to the BBC, global sea surface temperatures outside the polar regions reached an average of 21.1°C (70°F), according to data from the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service. The figure narrowly exceeds the previous record of 21.09°C, recorded on three days in March 2024.
The timing of the new record is particularly concerning. Ocean temperatures normally reach their annual peak around March or April, when summer is ending in the Southern Hemisphere. August is therefore an unusual time for global sea temperatures to reach a new high.
The Southern Hemisphere has a greater proportion of the planet’s ocean surface than the Northern Hemisphere, giving its seasonal temperatures a strong influence on the global average.
El Niño adds to an already warming ocean
The latest temperature increase comes as the natural El Niño climate pattern strengthens across the tropical Pacific.
El Niño occurs when unusually warm water develops across the central and eastern tropical Pacific. The additional heat released into the atmosphere can contribute to higher global temperatures and influence weather patterns far beyond the Pacific.
Scientists expect the current El Niño event to continue strengthening towards the end of the year, raising concerns that ocean temperatures could climb further.
The BBC reported that scientists believe the current conditions could result in another ocean temperature record being set when temperatures normally reach their seasonal peak in March or April 2027.
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Why warmer oceans matter
The ocean absorbs more than 90% of the excess heat generated by human greenhouse gas emissions, making it one of the clearest indicators of long-term global warming.
Rising ocean temperatures can have consequences far beyond the marine environment. Warmer seas provide additional energy and moisture for storms, potentially contributing to more intense weather events. They can also reduce the cooling influence of sea breezes during heatwaves in some coastal areas.
Ocean warming also contributes to rising sea levels. As seawater becomes warmer, it expands, adding to the effects of melting glaciers and ice sheets and increasing the risk of coastal flooding.
Marine ecosystems face significant pressure too. Prolonged periods of unusually warm water can cause coral bleaching, disrupt marine food webs and affect species that depend on specific temperature ranges.
Marine heatwaves are becoming more widespread
The warming is not limited to the Pacific.
The BBC reported that waters around the UK and Europe are also experiencing exceptionally high temperatures. Parts of the western English Channel have experienced almost continuous marine heatwave conditions for more than three years, with temperatures reaching around 7°C above average during July.
Scientists say the widespread nature of the warming is particularly significant because it reflects both the influence of El Niño and the longer-term effect of human-driven climate change.
While the latest record is only marginally higher than the previous one and global temperature estimates contain some uncertainty, the timing of the new high is raising concern.
With El Niño still strengthening, scientists expect the world’s oceans to remain under increasing pressure in the months ahead.
Source: BBC News, reporting on Copernicus Climate Change Service data.
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