Graziano La Grasta, a contractor and passionate standup paddle boarder, enjoys a thrilling ride on a small wave off the coast of South Beach in Miami Beach, Florida. As the summer heat becomes unbearable, people turn to water for a refreshing break. However, the recent soaring temperatures have made the appeal of the ocean diminish. According to the National Weather Service, sea surface temperatures reached an astonishing 101.2 degrees Fahrenheit (38.4 degrees Celsius) in Manatee Bay, Florida’s southern tip. It’s worth noting that the context of this reading is complex and requires scientific analysis. Chelsea Ward from Fort Myers, Florida remarked, “It felt like there was no difference between the humidity in the air and the water.”
Even in a state accustomed to high temperatures, triple-digit ocean temperatures are truly remarkable. Many retirees seek solace from cold winters in the warm climate of Florida, but when temperatures in nearby areas hit the mid-90s (35 degrees Celsius), the heat becomes oppressive. Finally, relief arrived when a storm passed through on Wednesday, causing water temperatures to drop back down to the more comfortable 80s (29 degrees Celsius).
Naturally, humans seek water as a source of refreshment. Every summer, millions of people grab their swimsuits and head to the beach to enjoy a day of cooling off in the water, providing a respite from their daily routines and worries. Pools also offer a place for friends to gather and find relief. However, when water temperatures rise too high, the appeal of swimming decreases. For example, 47-year-old Ward, who lives only minutes away from the beach in Fort Myers, no longer keeps her beach bag in her car because the water is simply too hot. When her friend suggested a beach trip on Sunday, they decided against it after discovering the water temperature was around 90 degrees (32 degrees Celsius).
The cooling effect of water comes from the efficient transfer of heat from the body into the water. As water temperatures rise, this effect diminishes, and the body loses heat less quickly, as explained by Michael Mullins, a toxicologist and emergency medicine physician. Submerging oneself in water hotter than body temperature, such as a hot tub or a stretch of ocean water, reverses this heat transfer, resulting in an unpleasant experience on a hot and humid Florida day. Mullins describes it as feeling like “swimming in soup.”
Interestingly, people in Florida have already been reluctant to swim in waters that were extremely hot earlier this week. Besides the discomfort of high temperatures, the water can also become muddy and poses a risk of alligator and crocodile encounters. Swimmers face similar challenges in areas with scorching temperatures, such as Phoenix, where highs above 110 degrees Fahrenheit (43 degrees Celsius) have been recorded every day this month. Pools, meant to offer relief, can become warm as well. In Lake Havasu City, Arizona, a resident named Stefanee Lynn Thompson wanted to keep her pool cool for a party she hosted on Sunday. With the heat, the pool’s temperature had risen to 96 degrees (36 degrees Celsius). Following her friend’s advice, she bought 40 ice blocks and placed them in the pool. She also set up fans. Despite her efforts, the pool’s temperature only dropped by a mere 4 degrees (7 degrees Celsius). Thompson believed that in scorching temperatures like 120 degrees, any reduction in temperature is helpful.
The rise in ocean temperatures not only affects humans but also has adverse consequences for sea corals. Increased water temperatures lead to coral bleaching, and sea corals can be harmed once temperatures exceed 80s (30 degrees Celsius). July’s intense heat led to the declaration of a global heat record even before the month ended. Climate change plays a significant role in creating a hotter world, warming oceans, and causing more destructive storms. While sea surface temperatures in Florida are somewhat above average, they are significantly higher in parts of the North Atlantic near Newfoundland, reaching temperatures that are 9 degrees Fahrenheit (5 degrees Celsius) hotter than normal.
The extremely high sea surface temperatures recorded off Florida’s southern tip earlier this week were a result of long hours of sunlight, a lack of wind, and the absence of storms. Andy Devanas, a science officer at the National Weather Service in Key West, who has been in the Florida Keys for over 21 years, expressed surprise at the temperatures reaching 100 degrees Fahrenheit in Florida Bay.
It is important to consider that the 101.2-degree reading in Manatee Bay may not accurately represent the overall water temperature. Shallow waters heat up rapidly, and the presence of sediment can further increase temperatures, according to David Roth from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Prediction Center. Contrasting Florida’s high temperatures, pools at the YMCA on the North Shore of Massachusetts near Boston offer cooler water, with temperatures ranging from 78 to 80 degrees (26 to 27 degrees Celsius). The nearby ocean is also cooler, with sea surface temperatures around Cape Cod barely reaching the mid-70s (24 degrees Celsius) this week.
Despite the challenges posed by high water temperatures, people continue to seek refreshment in the ocean. Graziano La Grasta, a local contractor and paddle boarder, happily rides a small wave off South Beach, enjoying the allure of the water, even though its temperature has temporarily impacted its appeal.
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Jessica Irvine is a tech enthusiast specializing in gadgets. From smart home devices to cutting-edge electronics, Jessica explores the world of consumer tech, offering readers comprehensive reviews, hands-on experiences, and expert insights into the coolest and most innovative gadgets on the market.
