Record-warm oceans streak ends at 15 months
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July may have been the warmest such month on record globally, but sea surface temperatures were no longer record warm, according to NOAA. Instead, they came in second, ending a 15-month stretch of record-warm months.
Why it matters: The streak has been a key feature of the spike in global warming during 2023 and into 2024.
- In addition to disrupting marine ecosystems, including through coral bleaching, warmer oceans provide more energy for hurricanes to develop and intensify.
- They also play a role in giving rise to precipitation extremes on land.
Zoom in: During July, global average sea surface temperatures were 0.98°C (1.76°F) above the 1991-2020 average, NOAA stated Monday.
- This was just below last July's record of 1.01°C (1.82°F) above average.
- The slow development of a La Niña event in the tropical equatorial Pacific Ocean is largely responsible for ending the heat streak at 15 months, given the presence of cooler-than-average waters in that region.
- Most other areas of the globe had unusually hot sea surface temperatures.
Yes, but: The amount of ocean heat building up in the oceans continues to climb, even with the slight ebb in sea surface temperatures.
- The oceans, including at depths as low as 2,000 meters, or 6,562 feet, absorb about 90% of the extra heat added to the climate from the human-caused buildup in carbon dioxide and other planet-warming pollutants.
Go deeper:
Global oceans see 14th-straight month of record-shattering heat
Warmest ocean temperatures in 400 years threaten Great Barrier Reef
