Pacific marine heatwave threatens U.S. coasts and storm patterns

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A large marine heatwave now covers an area from the Philippines to Peru and north toward Hawaii and California, about 13.5% of Earth’s surface, after two smaller Pacific heatwaves combined. The article reports that more than 37% of the global ocean is currently experiencing marine heatwaves and that the fraction has more than tripled since the 1980s. Scientists warn the excess ocean heat could raise California sea levels, fuel a western U.S. heat dome, intensify storms across the southern and eastern U.S., and increase the likelihood of historically unusual winter storms and heavy rain.

A Pacific marine heatwave now covers about 13.5% of Earth's surface.