June ocean temps hit record as strong El Niño looms

The world's oceans reached their highest average surface temperature ever recorded for the month of June, as a newly formed El Niño climate pattern is forecast to intensify rapidly in the coming months, increasing the likelihood of extreme weather and further temperature records. These developments, announced by separate United Nations and European Union agencies this week, underscore the compounding pressures of a natural climate cycle and long-term human-caused warming.

Data released on Wednesday by the European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service showed global sea surface temperatures averaged 20.98 degrees Celsius (69.76 degrees Fahrenheit) in June, surpassing previous records set in 2023 and 2024. The first half of 2026 was characterized by persistent and widespread ocean warmth, with marine heatwaves affecting approximately 82 percent of the global ocean. Regional hotspots included the Mediterranean Sea, which broke its own June record, and the tropical Pacific.

Separately, the World Meteorological Organization announced on Friday, July 3, that El Niño conditions have emerged in the tropical Pacific and are expected to strengthen rapidly into a strong event between...