sea surface temperatures News

Scientists Probe Sudden Spike in Ocean Temperatures

The world’s oceans have suddenly spiked much hotter and well above record levels in the last few weeks, with scientists trying to figure out what it means and whether it forecasts a surge in atmospheric warming. Some researchers think the …

North Atlantic Hurricane Season Begins With Ripe Conditions for Above-Average Activity

As the North Atlantic hurricane season begins officially today, forecasters continue to predict above-average storm activity. The pre-season forecast update for North Atlantic hurricane activity still predicts 18 named storms, eight hurricanes and four major (Category 3 and above) hurricanes, …

Damage to Coral Reefs Accelerating on Rising Sea Temperatures: Report

The risks to coral reefs are accelerating largely due to human activity, with rising water temperatures meaning they now have about 80 percent less recovery time between bleaching episodes than just three decades ago, according to a report in the …

Saving Coral Reefs Requires ‘War’ on Global Warming: Study

Reducing pollution and curbing overfishing won’t prevent the severe bleaching that is killing coral at catastrophic rates, according to a study of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. In the end, researchers say, the only way to save the world’s coral from …

Rising Sea Temperatures Could Kill 90% of Coral Reefs by 2050: Scientists

There were startling colors here just a year ago, a dazzling array of life beneath the waves. Now this Maldivian reef is dead, killed by the stress of rising ocean temperatures. What’s left is a haunting expanse of gray, a …

XL Catlin Launches $500,000 Fund for Scientists Researching Ocean Risks

XL Catlin has launched a $500,000 fund to support “early career scientists” undertaking research into the changing ocean environment. The XL Catlin Ocean Risk Grants will be awarded to scientists for final year BSc, Masters and PhD research. The fund …

Earth on Track to Hit Warmest Year on Record: NOAA

The earth is on track for its warmest year on record after October temperatures equaled the third-warmest for the month ever, a U.S. government agency said on Thursday. October globally was 1.31 Fahrenheit (0.73 Celsius) above the 20th century average …

Weather Forecaster Warns La Niña Could Follow on Heels of El Niño

The El Niño that disrupted weather worldwide last year has peaked. Now forecasters are predicting what may be next for the world’s climate. A number of El Niño-Southern Oscillation indicators suggest that the 2015-16 El Niño has peaked and weather …

Planet Moves Closer to Dangerous Levels of Warming with 2015 Temperatures: UN

The planet is halfway to dangerous levels of global warming, with the average temperature for 2015 set to eclipse last year’s record, the United Nations said. This year’s average temperature will be “approximately” 1 degree Celsius (1.8 degrees Fahrenheit) above …

El Niño Helps Create Another Record Year for High Temperatures

El Niño is the Earth’s hot, exhaling breath. At least, that’s one way of thinking about it. The blast of heat from deep within the Pacific Ocean will do more in 2015 than just disrupt weather worldwide. It will push …