North Atlantic Temperatures Smash 40-Year Records: A Sign of #Climate Emergency?
Observations of unprecedented #oceantemperatures in 2023 may become typical in a world that is 5.4°F (3.0°C) warmer than pre-industrial levels, according to a new study.
"The latest research finds the Gulf Stream has warmed faster than the global ocean over the past two decades, and has shifted toward the #AtlanticCoast.
"Scientists say the ocean current, which carries tropical water up the #EasternSeaboard, has warmed two degrees Fahrenheit since 2001 and could be pushing warmer water into the #GulfOfMaine.
"Robert Todd, an associate scientist with the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, said years of data collection confirm what climate models predicted.
"'Long-term ocean observing really is important,' said Todd, 'and we need to keep making those observations so we can understand what’s actually happening in the climate system.'
"Todd said #OceanTemperatures are steadily rising as a result of human activities. He said the findings could determine how changes in the Gulf Stream will impact Maine’s coastal industries.
"The Woods Hole study relied on more than 25,000 ocean temperature and salinity observations collected through the Argo Program — an array of some 4,000 floating robots throughout the global ocean.
"In addition, underwater gliders have slowly navigated the Gulf Stream — revealing warm rings of water, which Todd says could enter the Gulf of Maine and alter marine #environments and species.
"'You can imagine if you have an organism that likes cold water, and suddenly the water is a whole lot warmer because this ring was there,' said Todd, 'those organisms might not be there anymore or might suffer — and then, the fisheries associated with that would suffer.'
"The Gulf of Maine — which stretches from #CapeCod in #Massachusetts to #NovaScotia, #Canada — is already considered one of the fastest-warming ocean regions on the planet.
"Todd said the data collected is shared in real time with scientists around the world."
For nearly a year now, a bizarre heating event has been unfolding across the world’s oceans. In March 2023, global sea surface temperatures started shattering record daily highs and have stayed that way since.
You can see 2023 in the orange line below, the other gray lines being previous years. That solid black line is where we are so far in 2024—way, way above even 2023. While we’re nowhere near the Atlantic hurricane season yet—that runs from June 1 through the autumn—keep in mind that cyclones feed on warm ocean water, which could well stay anomalously hot in the coming months. Regardless, these surface temperature anomalies could be triggering major ecological problems already.
WUSF Public Media - WUSF 89.7 | By Associated Press
Published July 11, 2023 at 10:28 AM EDT
"Record #global ocean heating has invaded Florida with a vengeance.
"Water temperatures in the mid-90s (mid-30s Celsius) are threatening delicate coral reefs, depriving swimmers of cooling dips and adding a bit more ick to the Sunshine State's already oppressive summer weather. Forecasters are warning of temperatures that with humidity will feel like 110 degrees (43 degrees Celsius) by week's end.
"The #HeatDome that baked #Texas and #Mexico for much of the early summer has oozed its way to Florida with sunshine, little to no cooling clouds or rain, but humidity worsened by the hot oceans.
"If that's not enough, Florida is about to get a dose of #dust from Africa's #Saharan desert that's likely to hurt air quality."
@Radical_EgoCom@ElGriego
I assume you haven't seen the most recent graphics then. #antarcticice#oceantemperatures ...
The incredible, gigantic extent of those changes can't be taken serious enough, yet they find no answer/reaction in media or politics at all.
Ecosystems are more fragil than one think.
Corals, for example, die off completely at a difference of "just" 2 degrees.
If let's say Krills die in masses #temperaturechange it will have a dominoeffect throughout the oceans bc they are the major base of a lot of foodchaines.
Of course we (personally) can try our best. But regarding the inaction and ignorance of most governments - it's to late for hope already (for us that is).
👉The #Azores high has weakened and shifted southwest away from #Africa.👈
So those winds that typically pick up and transport #Saharan dust westward over the #NorthAtlantic are calmer and largely dust-free, says #MichaelMann,..." (2)
However, average ocean-surface temperatures of up to +5°C, as presently building up off the...
#ClimateDiary Keep on thinking of when Lauren in #ParableOfTheSower starts packing a backpack (with seeds etc), just in case they need to leave; and how she then tries to talk to her best friend about it, but this friend just can’t take it. Now in “unchartered territory” for #OceanTemperatures and the prospect of #ElNino kicking in already later this year, i do worry things might get pretty bad already this year; and have started to think (crazy i know!) about my own “backpack” packing 1/2