Ocean Temperatures Hit Record Highs as El Niño Looms

Global average sea surface temperatures have reached a record 21°C, placing the world's oceans under severe and sustained heat stress. Scientists warn the timing is especially dangerous as El Niño conditions are developing, which could amplify warming across ecosystems, weather systems, and coastlines worldwide. The combination of background climate warming and El Niño cyclical heating has historically produced the planet's most destructive weather years.