World’s Oceans Hit Record‑High July Temperatures

Sun Sep 06 2026 03:16:37 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Global sea surface temperatures reach record highs as El Niño develops, sparking heatwaves and wildfires across Europe.

July 2026 saw the hottest ocean temperatures ever recorded, with average sea surface temperatures hitting 20.96 °C outside the polar regions—a new world record. The hot seas, driven by emerging El Niño conditions, have intensified marine heatwaves, contributed to record‑setting heatwaves and wildfires in Europe, and expanded drought conditions in the UK. Climate scientists say these ocean heatwaves, combined with human‑caused warming, are a clear signal that extreme weather has become the new normal.

World's oceans hit record‑high July temperatures

According to the EU’s climate monitoring service, the world's oceans recorded their hottest July temperatures ever, with sea surface temperatures around 20.96 °C, nudging past the previous record set in 2023.

The average sea surface temperature (SST) outside the polar regions—between 60° N and 60° S—last month was 20.96 °C, beating the earlier high of 20.89 °C.

July was the joint second‑warmest month on record globally, with temperatures 1.47 °C above the pre‑industrial average, according to the Copernicus Climate Change Service.

Western Europe also saw its hottest June and July, with prolonged hot and dry conditions fueling extreme wildfires across the region.

Meanwhile, the UK is bracing for its fifth heatwave of the year, as ongoing dry weather pressures water supplies and may trigger further drought declarations.

‘Climate change is intensifying heat extremes’

Western Europe’s exceptional heat streak—three consecutive months of record‑setting warmth—was driven by high‑pressure systems trapping heat and dry soils limiting natural cooling, a clear example of how climate change nourishes extreme heat and drought.

Extreme weather ‘new normal’

In the UK, a prolonged dry spell has stretched already‑stretched water supplies. England and Wales recorded their driest July in 190 years, with large parts of England and all of Wales officially declared in drought. Further drought declarations are likely if dry conditions persist, signalling that extreme weather is becoming mainstream.

Scientists warn that El Niño could temporarily boost global temperatures against a backdrop of man‑made warming, particularly from fossil‑fuel combustion. Today’s Earth is about 1.4 °C warmer on average than in the late 19th century.