European seas record highest summer surface temperatures
Satellite and buoy records show European sea-surface temperatures reached their highest summer levels since 1982, averaging 21.6 C between June and August and producing intense marine heatwaves. The Bay of Biscay averaged 21.4 C, more than 2.4 C above the 1991-2020 norm and had 186 heatwave days by the end of August. An offshore buoy near Mallorca recorded 33.02 C in August and NOAA satellite readings peaked at 23.2 C in the bay. Scientists link the warming to greenhouse-gas driven atmospheric heating and note consequences including kelp collapse, species shifts, mass octopus landings and cooling-system disruptions at a French nuclear plant.
European sea-surface temperatures reached record highs and stressed marine systems
Context
Sea-surface temperature records go back to 1982. Scientists say greenhouse gases are raising atmospheric and ocean temperatures. If warming continues, more marine heatwaves and ecosystem shifts could follow.
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