Ocean Surface Temperature Hits Record 21.1°C
The global ocean surface temperature reached a record 21.1 degrees Celsius on August 22, according to Copernicus, surpassing the previous record of 21.09 degrees set in March 2024. This unprecedented heat occurred during a strong El Niño event and reflects long-term climate warming.
Consensus
- The average surface temperature of the World Ocean reached 21.1 degrees Celsius on August 19, 2024.
- This temperature is the highest ever recorded since satellite observations began in 1979.
- The previous record was 21.09 degrees Celsius, set in March 2024.
- The record was set during a strong El Niño event in the tropical Pacific Ocean.
- The increase in ocean temperature is linked to long-term global warming caused by human activity.
- Typically, peak ocean temperatures occur in March and April, not in August.
- The number of days with extreme ocean heatwaves has more than tripled since the early 1990s.
Points of divergence
- The super El Niño is expected to last until February 2027, with a predicted warming of up to three degrees in 2026. — meduza
- The Panamanian Canal has already restricted ship passage due to the effects of El Niño. — kommersant
- The World Food Programme warned that by the end of 2027, the number of people facing acute food insecurity could increase by at least 49 million due to El Niño. — vedomosti
- On August 20, Dmitry Subetto, a doctor of geographical sciences, stated that global warming could restore climate conditions from 6–7 thousand years ago. — vm
Coverage (6 sources)
- Average surface temperature of the World Ocean reached record 21.1 degrees Celsius, such data is provided by European... — Varlamov News
- Record ocean surface temperature recorded on August 22. It reached 21.1 degrees Celsius — this is self... — ТАСС (Telegram)
- Global Ocean Warming to Record Temperature — 21.1 Degrees. Previous Maximum Recorded in 2024 — Meduza
- In August, the temperature of the World Ocean reached a record — Коммерсантъ
- Temperature of the surface of the World Ocean reached a historical maximum — Ведомости
- Scientists recorded a record ocean surface temperature — 21.1 degrees — Вечерняя Москва