New records have been set daily for an entire year as the world’s oceans hit unprecedented temperatures, according to the latest data.

Ocean scientists express growing alarm over a year of unprecedented sea surface temperature records, suggesting significant implications for climate, weather, and marine ecosystems. The average sea surface temperature is now substantially higher than past decades, driven by factors beyond human-induced climate change, including possibly El Niño/La Niña effects and other natural variabilities. This anomaly raises concerns over its potential to worsen hurricanes, coral bleaching, and extreme weather events.

Researchers are investigating the causes of this surge in ocean temperatures, considering the role of climate change alongside other factors like atmospheric and oceanic processes. The prolonged high temperatures could intensify hurricanes, affect marine life, and increase coastal rainstorms, presenting new challenges for climate science and weather prediction. The situation underscores the complex interplay between natural variability and human impact on the planet’s climate system. — NBC News