Every week, it seems the impending El Niño makes headlines, and as surfers, we are locked into these developments. And while we pray for west swells and well-groomed sandbars, the ocean is currently hotter than it’s ever been in recorded history.
The average surface temperature of Earth’s oceans (excluding the polar regions) has reached a jaw-dropping 70 degrees Fahrenheit, or 21.1 °C. This breaks the previous record of 21.09 °C, set in 2024, according to data compiled by the European Copernicus climate change service.
“This record is another clear signal of an ocean under growing stress,” Dr. Samantha Burgess, deputy director of Copernicus, told the BBC. “El Niño is adding heat to the system, but it is doing so on top of decades of human-driven warming.”
Related: Over 5,000 Stingray Wounds Savage Huntington Beach Summer Crowds
The BBC report notes that one reason this development is so alarming is that ocean temperatures usually peak in March or April, in the middle of the Southern Hemisphere summer. The fact that this record was broken in August, at the end of the Southern Hemi winter, is especially troubling. And with the El Niño pattern in full effect, concerns are that there’s no way for the ocean to self-regulate and cool itself down … it’s what you might describe as adding fuel to the fire. Expectations are that the record could again be broken in March 2027.
In terms of what this means for surfers, it could indicate that we’ve reached a tipping point that will profoundly affect what we do. For example, California beaches are already suffering from severe erosion that threatens the very existence of some surf spots. Bigger storms, bigger swell, more rainfall, and king tides could spell disaster. There are scenarios where iconic beaches like San Onofre or Lower Trestles lose even more sand and shoreline, leaving access and wave quality open-ended questions.
Wherever we go from here, more and more it’s looking like we’re in for a wild ride this winter. Get those big boards and thick leashes ready, but don’t forget to prep for possible flooding and other weather-related calamities. The end of summer is less than a month away, and it looks like we’re in for a wild ride ahead.
Related: Ocean Temps Shattered Records Around the World in June
Original Post from this site