Oceans Record Hottest July Amidst Climate Change Concerns

Oceans worldwide recorded their hottest July on record, driven partly by developing El Niño conditions in the Pacific. The average sea surface temperature outside polar regions reached 20.96 degrees Celsius (69.73 Fahrenheit) in July, breaking the previous record of 20.89C set in July 2023.

According to the Copernicus Climate Change Service, last month was the second warmest July globally in recorded history. Temperatures averaged 1.47C above estimated pre-industrial levels. Western Europe endured its hottest combined June and July, with prolonged heat and drought fueling extreme wildfires. The United Kingdom is also bracing for its fifth heatwave of the year.

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July 2026 was the second warmest July on record globally, with temperatures 1.47C above the estimated pre-industrial average.

Sea surface temperatures across Europe hit record highs along the Atlantic coast and in the Western Mediterranean in July, contributing to widespread and intense marine heatwaves. In the tropical Pacific, where El Niño conditions are developing and expected to strengthen, sea temperatures remained exceptionally high.

Oceans play a critical role in regulating the climate, absorbing a significant portion of excess heat from greenhouse gas emissions and producing half of the world's oxygen. Warming oceans contribute to sea-level rise as water expands when heated, accounting for about one-third of the recorded rise. Hotter seas also lead to more prolonged and severe marine heatwaves, causing widespread coral bleaching and severely impacting kelp forests and fisheries. Additionally, warmer ocean surfaces evaporate more heat and moisture into the atmosphere, intensifying tropical storms and leading to heavier rainfall.

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Climate change is intensifying extreme heat.