El Nino-driven sea surface temperatures reached hottest-ever in July

Global sea surface temperatures hit a record high in July, driven by the El Nino effect, according to the EU's Copernicus climate agency. Western Europe experienced intense heatwaves and dry conditions during the same period, leading to devastating wildfires that have scorched over 500,000 hectares of land this summer, marking the worst year on record.

June-July average temperatures in western Europe soared to 21.62°C, a full 2.79°C above the historical average, surpassing the previous record set in 2022. Samantha Burgess, a strategic lead for climate at the European Centre for medium-range weather forecasts, explained that persistent high-pressure systems trapped heat over the region, while extreme temperatures exacerbated widespread drought.

Air quality expert Laurence Rouil noted that massive fires were spreading farther north, producing more smoke that could travel farther and impact air quality across wider regions. These fires have disrupted water supply and energy production, with some European countries asking citizens to reduce electricity consumption due to low water levels in major rivers like the Seine, Rhine, and Danube.

Conversely, some areas of Europe had wetter than average conditions, resulting in localized flooding. The heat also caused lower-than-average flows in major rivers, affecting energy production. In Hungary, electricity consumption restrictions were implemented due to reduced water levels in the Danube, impacting the Paks nuclear plant.

While some regions experienced intense droughts, others saw heavy rainfall, leading to localized flooding. Additionally, the World Food Programme warned that El Nino could push nearly 49 million people in vulnerable regions into acute food insecurity by the end of next year. July's sea surface temperatures reached an exceptional 20.97°C, surpassing the previous July record of 20.89°C set in 2023.

These unusually high temperatures are expected to persist across a large portion of the tropical Pacific, where El Nino conditions are anticipated to strengthen in the coming months. Similar high sea temperatures were also recorded along the Atlantic coast and the western Mediterranean, associated with widespread strong or severe marine heatwaves. These conditions have affected coastal communities and ecosystems.