Ocean Temperature Records Could Break in 'Days': EU Climate Monitor
The European Union's climate monitor reports that ocean temperatures are nearing record highs, signaling a potential powerful El Nino weather pattern.
PARIS: The European Union’s climate monitor has indicated that ocean temperatures are edging toward record-breaking levels as conditions shift toward a potentially strong El Nino weather phenomenon.
Samantha Burgess from the European Center for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) noted that sea surface temperatures in recent days have closely approached the all-time highs recorded in 2024, with May expected to surpass its own record.
According to Burgess, it is only a matter of days before ocean SSTs set new records again.
The Copernicus Climate Change Service reported that daily sea surface temperatures in April 'gradually inched' toward near-record levels, reflecting the anticipated transition to El Nino in the coming months.
This service, overseen by ECMWF, further stated that April's sea surface temperatures were the second-highest on record, with marine heatwaves breaking records between the tropical Pacific and the United States.
The World Meteorological Organization previously indicated that El Nino conditions could emerge as early as May to July in 2026.
El Nino is a natural climate cycle affecting Pacific Ocean temperatures and trade winds, influencing global weather patterns and increasing the likelihood of extreme weather events such as droughts and heavy rainfall.
Its impact on global temperatures usually peaks the year after its occurrence.
Zeke Hausfather, a scientist at Berkeley Earth, suggested that a strong El Nino could significantly increase the chances of 2027 becoming the hottest year ever recorded, surpassing even 2024's record-breaking temperature.
However, Burgess noted that it is still too early to predict the event's intensity with certainty due to unreliable forecasts during the Northern Hemisphere spring.
Despite its potential strength, this El Nino will undoubtedly have notable effects on global temperatures and climate patterns.
The transition from neutral conditions to El Nino is marked by an uptick in ocean temperatures over March and April, as indicated by Copernicus' data.
This development is taking place against the backdrop of long-term global warming primarily caused by greenhouse gas emissions, with oceans absorbing around 90% of excess heat generated by human activities.
April was identified as the third-hottest month globally by Copernicus, with temperatures 1.43°C above the pre-industrial benchmark set between 1850-1900.
Arctic sea ice remained near record lows in April, and Europe faced varied conditions that suggest a hotter and drier summer at risk of drought or wildfires.
Burgess stressed the ongoing trend of extreme climate events: 'We just keep seeing extremes.
Every month brings more data highlighting the impact of climate change on these extreme events.'
Samantha Burgess from the European Center for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) noted that sea surface temperatures in recent days have closely approached the all-time highs recorded in 2024, with May expected to surpass its own record.
According to Burgess, it is only a matter of days before ocean SSTs set new records again.
The Copernicus Climate Change Service reported that daily sea surface temperatures in April 'gradually inched' toward near-record levels, reflecting the anticipated transition to El Nino in the coming months.
This service, overseen by ECMWF, further stated that April's sea surface temperatures were the second-highest on record, with marine heatwaves breaking records between the tropical Pacific and the United States.
The World Meteorological Organization previously indicated that El Nino conditions could emerge as early as May to July in 2026.
El Nino is a natural climate cycle affecting Pacific Ocean temperatures and trade winds, influencing global weather patterns and increasing the likelihood of extreme weather events such as droughts and heavy rainfall.
Its impact on global temperatures usually peaks the year after its occurrence.
Zeke Hausfather, a scientist at Berkeley Earth, suggested that a strong El Nino could significantly increase the chances of 2027 becoming the hottest year ever recorded, surpassing even 2024's record-breaking temperature.
However, Burgess noted that it is still too early to predict the event's intensity with certainty due to unreliable forecasts during the Northern Hemisphere spring.
Despite its potential strength, this El Nino will undoubtedly have notable effects on global temperatures and climate patterns.
The transition from neutral conditions to El Nino is marked by an uptick in ocean temperatures over March and April, as indicated by Copernicus' data.
This development is taking place against the backdrop of long-term global warming primarily caused by greenhouse gas emissions, with oceans absorbing around 90% of excess heat generated by human activities.
April was identified as the third-hottest month globally by Copernicus, with temperatures 1.43°C above the pre-industrial benchmark set between 1850-1900.
Arctic sea ice remained near record lows in April, and Europe faced varied conditions that suggest a hotter and drier summer at risk of drought or wildfires.
Burgess stressed the ongoing trend of extreme climate events: 'We just keep seeing extremes.
Every month brings more data highlighting the impact of climate change on these extreme events.'