Global oceans record their hottest June ever, with European monitoring showing a global average sea-surface temperature of 20.98°C. Multiple outlets report that this reading surpasses previous records set in 2023 and 2024. Scientists say the unusually high heat reflects ongoing human-driven climate change and is now being amplified by the developing El Niño weather pattern. European monitors describe a sustained period of exceptional ocean warmth, particularly across the first half of 2026, and warn that heat stored in the oceans can continue to affect atmospheric temperatures. Several reports also note that the timing of El Niño’s emergence could push both ocean and air temperatures to new highs in the months ahead, potentially extending into next year. While the specific magnitude of future peaks is not quantified in the reports, the overall assessment is consistent: the oceans are already at record warmth, and conditions linked to El Niño raise the likelihood of further extreme temperature thresholds being reached, with implications for marine and broader climate systems.