N. Atlantic ocean temperature sets record high: US agency

On Friday, the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) released preliminary data revealing that the North Atlantic has reached its highest-ever temperature, breaking records earlier than expected. This comes just after scientists confirmed that July is on track to be the warmest month in recorded history. Xungang Yin, a scientist at NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information, stated that the average sea surface temperature in the North Atlantic Ocean measured 24.9 degrees Celsius (76.8° Fahrenheit) this week, which is more than one degree warmer than the 30-year climatological normal. Normally, the North Atlantic reaches its peak temperature in early September, making this early record-breaking occurrence particularly startling. NOAA will need approximately two weeks to confirm these preliminary findings.

Meanwhile, the Mediterranean Sea also experienced record-high temperatures, reaching 28.71 degrees Celsius. Spain’s Institute of Marine Sciences announced this record amidst an exceptional heat wave in Europe. The Mediterranean region, classified as a hotspot for climate change, has been enduring extreme temperatures in July.

Atlantic record likely to be broken again

NOAA’s Yin predicts that the sea surface temperature in the North Atlantic will continue to rise throughout August, making it highly likely that the newly set record of 24.9 degrees Celsius will be broken once again. Since March, temperatures in the North Atlantic have been consistently warmer than in previous years, with the difference becoming more pronounced in recent weeks. The North Atlantic serves as an important indicator of worldwide seawater warming due to climate change caused by greenhouse gas emissions. Copernicus, another monitoring program, also recorded a temperature of 24.7 degrees Celsius in the North Atlantic, slightly lower than NOAA’s measurement. However, Copernicus expects this record to be surpassed “this summer.”

An Extreme Situation

Karina Von Schuckmann from the Mercator Ocean International research center describes the situation in the North Atlantic as extreme. The spread of persistent maritime heat waves over a large surface area is cause for concern. It is worth noting that the oceans have absorbed 90 percent of the excess heat produced by human activity since the industrial age began. This accumulation of energy has doubled over the past two decades, further fueling global warming. On a global scale, ocean temperatures have repeatedly broken seasonal heat records since April.

Addititionally, off the coast of Florida, waters reached a scorching 38.3 degrees Celsius, a temperature more commonly associated with hot tubs. If confirmed, this reading could set a new world record.

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