Scientists say the world’s seas are at their hottest recorded temperatures for July, with average sea surface temperatures outside polar regions reaching a new high. Data compiled by the EU’s Copernicus climate change service shows that July sea surface temperatures surpass previous records, including the earlier high set in 2023.
The report also points to particularly extreme conditions in regions affecting Europe. Sea surface temperatures hit record highs along parts of the Atlantic coast and across the western Mediterranean, where marine heatwaves are occurring. These heatwaves are described as severe and are linked to the broader pattern of devastating marine heat impacting coastal and nearby waters.
Across the coverage, the central focus is the updated global temperature record for July and the confirmation that the new peak exceeds the previous best for the same month. The outlets differ mainly in how much emphasis they place on Europe’s impacts, but they align on the overall finding: July sea temperatures are the highest on record and marine heat extremes are ongoing.
