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Straits Times
01-07-2025
- Science
- Straits Times
Marine heatwave pushes up Mediterranean Sea temperature
ATHENS - Mediterranean Sea temperatures surged in June in a marine heatwave, with a Greek scientist warning some species are under threat in what has likely been a record period. The EU's Copernicus Climate Change Service said Copernicus Marine Service data showed sea surface temperatures on June 22 were more than 5 degrees Celsius above the seasonal average. The most intense warming in what it called a "marine heatwave" was observed in the western Mediterranean basin, including the Balearic Sea, off Spain, and the Tyrrhenian Sea, off the west coast of Italy, it said. "We have seen temperatures we were expecting in the middle of August being recorded in June and ... this is why it is considered a record year for temperatures in the Mediterranean Sea," Christos Spyrou, associate researcher at the Academy of Athens research centre for atmospheric physics, said. He said that the average sea temperatures in June were 3-6 degrees higher than the average between 1982-2023, which was used as a reference period. "We expected these sea temperatures in August," Spyrou said, adding specific temperatures were not yet available. "Some species will not be able to reproduce or survive in these conditions, especially in increasing temperatures.' Europe is the world's fastest-warming continent, heating up at twice the global average, according to Copernicus, making extreme heatwaves occur earlier in the year, and persist into later months. Several Italian regions banned outdoor work during the hottest hours of the day on Tuesday, France shut scores of schools and Spain confirmed last month as its hottest June on record as a severe heatwave gripped Europe, triggering widespread health alerts. A 69-year-old Greek resident who gave his name as Christos said he had noticed the warming waters off Athens. 'I have been coming here for 11 years, I believe the sea is a little warmer than other years. Every year it gets warmer, both in winter and in summer," he said REUTERS Find out more about climate change and how it could affect you on the ST microsite here.
Yahoo
28-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Mediterranean Sea poised to break all-time heat records
ROME – The Mediterranean Sea is on track to potentially surpass its all-time highest recorded temperature, with large portions of the basin estimated to be between 5- and 10-degrees Fahrenheit above average, with even locally greater anomalies. According to satellite data, sea surface temperatures throughout the region have been consistently breaking records through the month of June. Most readings are registering in the mid to upper 70s Fahrenheit, and with the hottest months of the season still to come, there appears to be little in store to immediately reverse the warming trend. The warmest average sea surface temperature for the Mediterranean was set just last year, when the basin reached a stunning 84 degrees Fahrenheit in August 2024, surpassing the previous record set in 2023, according to Europe's Copernicus Marine Service. Alaska's Largest Wildfires Of Year Rage After 31,000 Lightning Strikes Over 3-Day Period Extended marine heatwaves are known to damage coral reef ecosystems, and while the Mediterranean Sea does not have extensive reefs compared to the tropics, biologists say it is home to unique coral formations and other marine habitats. In addition to ecological risks, the warming sea surface is influencing weather patterns across Southern Europe and Northern Africa. Weather observation sites have recorded elevated dew points in recent days, with some areas reaching the mid-70s Fahrenheit - levels of humidity typically seen in more tropical climates such as the United States' Gulf Coast. This level of added moisture can dramatically increase the heat index and make it harder for the human body to cool down through evaporation. Studies estimate that just over 20% of households across Europe have access to air conditioning, which can make any heat wave oppressive. Elevated sea surface temperatures in the Mediterranean are not just an isolated phenomenon - it is part of a larger global trend, with record warmth observed in most ocean basins over the past few years. Many climatologists attribute the long-term warming to climate change, while others point to more regional oscillation patterns as contributing factors. 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season Guide: Here's What To Know About The Tropics This Year At face value, a persistently warm subtropical zone, such as the current Mediterranean setup and nearby waterways, can suppress tropical cyclone formation in the Main Development Region (MDR) of the Atlantic by decreasing atmospheric instability. At the same time, it can also lead to tropical activity in more unusual northern latitudes, outside the classic storm formation zones. Forecasters will be watching closely to see whether the current anomalies in the Mediterranean Sea migrate more southwestward, which could align with more traditional water temperature patterns. A similar setup occurred in 2003, when a boiling Mediterranean was paired with a more lukewarm tropical Atlantic early in the season, but sea temperatures eventually transitioned weeks later, warming the MDR and leading to several long-track Cape Verde hurricanes. Whether the 2025 hurricane season follows a similar pattern remains to be seen, but the impacts of the latest Mediterranean heat wave will be monitored for impacts locally and around the article source: Mediterranean Sea poised to break all-time heat records
