Mediterranean Sea heats up: Record water temperature recorded near Mallorca

The Mediterranean Sea is experiencing unprecedented warming, with a record water temperature measured near the Spanish island of Mallorca. State television RTVE reported the temperature as the highest ever recorded in Spanish waters, significantly exceeding the long-term average by four degrees Celsius in the western Mediterranean.

Scientists are pointing to human-induced climate change as the primary driver of these extreme temperatures. The elevated sea temperatures pose a significant threat to sensitive marine ecosystems. Furthermore, the phenomenon increases the likelihood of severe storms and heavy rainfall during the autumn months.

The exceptionally warm Mediterranean Sea causes massive amounts of water to evaporate, releasing vast streams of thermal energy into the air layers near the surface. When cold air from the north encounters this warm, moist air in the fall, it rises rapidly, potentially triggering intense storms.

For both tourists and local residents, the high sea temperatures mean that coastal areas remain uncomfortably warm even at night, accompanied by high humidity. Swimming in the sea offers little refreshment. Experts predict that temperatures in this region of the Mediterranean will continue to rise in the coming years. Similar record-breaking temperatures have also been observed in the Ligurian Sea off the Italian coast, with 31 degrees Celsius recorded near Porto Venere, approximately four degrees above the climatic average.