The world’s oceans have reached their highest July temperatures ever recorded, according to new data from the EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Service a milestone driven by long‑term global warming and strengthening El Niño conditions in the Pacific.
Copernicus reported that the average sea surface temperature (SST) between 60°N and 60°S hit 20.96°C last month, surpassing the previous record of 20.89°C set in 2023. July 2026 also ranked as the joint second‑warmest July globally, sitting 1.47°C above pre‑industrial levels.
Western Europe endured its hottest June and July on record, with prolonged heat and drought fuelling severe wildfires across France, Spain, Italy and Portugal. In the UK, authorities are preparing for the fifth heatwave of the year, with dry conditions straining water supplies and raising the likelihood of more regions being declared in drought.
Meanwhile, the tropical Pacific remained exceptionally warm as El Niño continues to develop and is forecast to intensify in the coming months, further amplifying global heat patterns.
The record‑breaking ocean temperatures highlight the accelerating pace of climate change and the growing risks posed by extreme heat on land and at sea.
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