On July 5, 2026, scientists reported that the world's oceans have recorded the highest average sea surface temperatures for June, exceeding the previous records set during the 2023–24 El Niño years. With an average temperature just under 21°C across tropical and temperate oceans, this significant rise can be attributed to the ongoing effects of climate change and the current El Niño phenomenon.
Record Ocean Temperatures and Climate Change
The global average sea surface temperature has climbed to unprecedented levels, surpassing the pre-industrial average of 19.6°C. According to the HadISST dataset, more than 90% of the excess heat from greenhouse gas emissions has been absorbed by the oceans. This alarming trend indicates a substantial increase in oceanic temperatures, which can have dire consequences for global weather patterns.
In 2025 alone, the heat added to the oceans was comparable to 12 Hiroshima-scale nuclear bombs exploding every second. This extraordinary amount of energy has not only warmed surface waters but has also affected subsurface temperatures, particularly in the eastern Pacific, where conditions are more than 6°C above average.
Impacts of El Niño on Ocean and Weather Patterns
The current El Niño, which is expected to be particularly intense, is likely to exacerbate these rising temperatures. As El Niño develops, the warmer ocean waters will lead to more extreme weather events, including heightened cyclone activity and increased rainfall. The **European** seas, for instance, are experiencing temperatures that are significantly above average, with the Mediterranean region recording anomalies up to 6°C hotter than the long-term average.
