Oceans Hit Record High Temperature Amid El Niño and Climate Change

The world's oceans reached their hottest temperature ever recorded on August 22, 2026, with the global average sea surface temperature hitting 21.1 degrees Celsius (69.98 degrees Fahrenheit), according to data from the European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service. The new record surpasses the previous high of 21.09 degrees Celsius set in March 2024 and is particularly notable because it occurred in August, a time when ocean temperatures are typically not at their peak. The record was confirmed by the Copernicus Climate Change Service, which uses satellite data and other measurements to estimate global sea surface temperatures.