BRUSSELS: The world’s oceans recorded their warmest June on record this year, with sea surface temperatures reaching unprecedented levels as climate change and the developing El Niño weather pattern continued to drive global warming, according to the European Union’s Copernicus Marine Service.
In a report released on Wednesday, the agency said the global average sea surface temperature reached 21.0 degrees Celsius (69.8 degrees Fahrenheit) in June, surpassing previous records set during the same month in 2023 and 2024.
What did the report find?
The Copernicus Marine Service said the first six months of 2026 were marked by persistently elevated sea surface temperatures and widespread marine heatwaves across much of the world’s oceans.
According to the report, marine heatwaves expanded steadily during the period, affecting approximately 82% of the global ocean.
Which regions were most affected?
The report identified the Mediterranean Sea, the central North Atlantic and the equatorial Pacific as the regions experiencing the most intense marine warming.
Simon van Gennip, lead oceanographer at the Copernicus Marine Service, said the findings indicate that oceans are experiencing sustained thermal stress across multiple regions.
What could happen next?
Scientists warned that the emergence of a potentially strong El Niño weather pattern could further increase ocean and atmospheric temperatures during the remainder of 2026 and into next year.
They said the combination of El Niño and long-term climate change is likely to raise the risk of additional marine heatwaves and further record-breaking temperatures in the coming months.