Latest news with #seatemperatures
BBC News
2 days ago
- Science
- BBC News
More or Less: Behind the Stats How weird was the Med Sea heatwave?
In early July, the Mediterranean Sea experienced a marine heatwave. The surface of the water reached temperatures of 30 degrees in some places. A social media post at the time claimed that some of these sea temperatures were so different to the normal sea temperature at this time of year, that the sea was experiencing a '1-in-216,000,000,000-year sea temperature anomaly'. This would suggest that the likelihood of the event was on a timescale far longer than the amount of time the entire universe has existed. Is the claim true? Dr Jules Kajtar, a physical oceanographer from the National Oceanography Centre, takes a look at the statistics. We heard about this story because a listener spotted it and emailed the team. Get in touch if you've seen a number you think we should look at. moreorless@ Presenter: Lizzy McNeill Series producer: Tom Colls Production co-ordinator: Rosie Strawbridge Sound mix: Neil Churchill Editor: Richard Vadon
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Climate
- Daily Mail
European seaside destinations experience 'marine heatwave'
With summer in full swing and temperatures soaring across Europe, seaside destinations have experienced a 'marine heatwave'. Sea temperatures globally have been so high recently and July was the third-warmest on record, according to Mercator Ocean International. The non-profit organization is part of the EU's Copernicus Marine Service and monitors the conditions of the ocean, while also providing forecasts. Analysis by the institute found around the world sea temperatures reached an average of 20.80°C. It reached an 'unprecedented' temperature of 26.68°C, beating the previous high of 26.65°C in 2023. According to Monaco Life , areas of the western Mediterranean, including Spain, as well as the central basin close to Italy have seen soaring temperatures. The European destinations have reportedly seen sea surface temperatures breaching 30°C. 'Strong or higher category marine heatwaves' hit 68% of the Mediterranean Sea in July, according to Mercator Ocean International. There were other temperature spikes too, with 63% of the basin exceeding the long-term average by at least 1°C. Meanwhile 40% of the basin saw the heat exceed by at least 2°C. Mercator Ocean International revealed how the western Mediterranean was the worst hit. There have been been plenty of on-land heatwaves too recently. Temperature records were recently broken in at least four weather stations in southern France. The southwestern city of Bordeaux hit a record 41.6C while all-time records were also broken at meteorological stations in Bergerac, Cognac and Saint Girons, according to the national weather service, Meteo France. The heatwave, the country's second this summer, began last Friday and was forecast to last possibly until August 19 or 20.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Climate
- Daily Mail
The European seaside with waters as hot as hot tubs following 'marine heatwave'
With summer in full swing and temperatures soaring across Europe, seaside destinations have experienced a 'marine heatwave'. Sea temperatures globally have been so high recently and July was the third-warmest on record, according to Mercator Ocean International. The non-profit organisation is part of the EU's Copernicus Marine Service and monitors the conditions of the ocean, while also providing forecasts. Analysis by the institute found around the world sea temperatures reached an average of 20.80°C. This was just lower than 2024's temperatures, at 20.91°C and 2023 which averaged 20.93°C. Around 71% of the global ocean experienced above-average temperatures. The Mediterranean Sea saw record-breaking warmth last month. It reached an 'unprecedented' temperature of 26.68°C, beating the previous high of 26.65°C in 2023. Mercator Ocean International, a non-profit organisation is part of the EU's Copernicus Marine Service and monitors the conditions of the ocean, has revealed the high temperatures According to Monaco Life, areas of the western Mediterranean, including Spain, as well as the central basin close to Italy have seen soaring temperatures. The European destinations have reportedly seen sea surface temperatures breaching 30°C. 'Strong or higher category marine heatwaves' hit 68% of the Mediterranean Sea in July, according to Mercator Ocean International. This made it the second widest coverage on record for such intense conditions. While 95% of the Mediterranean experienced above-average temperatures overall. There were other temperature spikes too, with 63% of the basin exceeding the long-term average by at least 1°C. Meanwhile 40% of the basin saw the heat exceed by at least 2°C. Mercator Ocean International revealed how the western Mediterranean was the worst hit. There have been been plenty of on-land heatwaves too recently. Temperature records were recently broken in at least four weather stations in southern France. The southwestern city of Bordeaux hit a record 41.6C while all-time records were also broken at meteorological stations in Bergerac, Cognac and Saint Girons, according to the national weather service, Meteo France. The heatwave, the country's second this summer, began last Friday and was forecast to last possibly until August 19 or 20.
BBC News
5 days ago
- Science
- BBC News
Different species in island waters due to rising temperatures
Different species of marine life have been spotted in Guernsey's waters due to rises in sea temperatures, a marine expert has said. Nicky Harris from the Marine Biology section of La Societe Guernesiaise said higher temperatures of up to 19C (66.2F) mean species more common to Mediterranean waters have been seen off the island's coast. It comes as the UK's seas have had their warmest start to the year since records Harris said although some species are "able to cope with a range of temperatures" others prefer colder waters. She said basking sharks, which used to be seen commonly in the waters around the islands, were less in numbers as they prefer colder temperatures. "We really don't see them anymore and they are heading up Ireland's coast instead," she said."Instead we are seeing things that are Mediterranean-focused, things like gilt-head bream, we didn't used to see and now they're becoming a bit more common in our waters." "We really need to be conscious of and adapt to climate change and warming waters in the Channel Islands," Ms Harris said."Warmer air temperatures is going to have impacts on our weather patterns, we already do see increase in storm intensity and storm frequency, that's going to be something that we continue to see."
BBC News
30-05-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Portsmouth uni and GB Row Challenge research finds UK seas are warming
Data, collected by rowers who circumnavigated Great Britain and analysed by university researchers, has found that sea temperatures have risen.A report by the University of Portsmouth and GB Row Challenge found UK seas were, on average, 0.39C (32.7F) warmer in 2023 compared to data was collected by a crew who took part in the 2023 GB Row Challenge which saw participants travel more than 2000 miles (3219 km) around of environmental pollution at the University of Portsmouth, Fay Couceiro, said: "We expect fluctuations but we don't want to see this increasing number of marine heatwaves." Some regions, including the Celtic and Irish Seas and the northern North Sea, experienced temperature increases exceeding 2C (35.6F), during a marine said the data gives an important indication of the health of our oceans."Understanding it allows us to better protect the species that are there," she added that sessile organisms like mussels and oysters, which are unable to move themselves to cooler waters. were most affected by the rising temperatures. Environmental DNA, underwater sound and microplastic data was also collected by the the surprising findings was a fragment of Bakelite plastic found in Clacton-on-Sea north of the Thames was the first commercially produced synthetic plastic, which was widely used in the early 1900s and largely discontinued in the 1940s."Despite being phased out of production decades ago, this possible century-old relic has persisted, highlighting how plastics can linger in ecosystems for generations," Ms Couceiro said."This longevity contributes to the accumulation of microplastics, which infiltrate our soils, waterways, and even the food chain, posing risks to both environmental and human health. The finding serves as a reminder of the urgent need for sustainable materials and robust waste management practices to address the escalating global plastic crisis." 'Citizen science' Team Ithaca, an all-female rowing crew, were responsible for gathering the group also went on to become the fastest female team to row around Great Row Challenge founder, William de Laszlo said: "Team Ithaca's expedition highlights the potential of citizen science in contributing to environmental research."Their dedication and resilience have not only set a new benchmark in ocean rowing but have also provided critical insights into the challenges facing Britain's coastal waters." You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
