El Niño breaks temperature records early
The gist
A developing 'super El Niño' pushed Pacific sea surface temperatures to a record 3.07C anomaly.
The event is boosting global heat and reshaping weather worldwide.
How it unfolded
- Aug 17, 2026Ocean surface temperatures in 2026 rose to more than 84 degrees, compared with a 1991-2020 average that starts a bit below 80 degrees in January.
- Aug 22, 2026Global ocean temperatures set a new record with an average reading of 21.1C (69.98F), topping the previous record of 21.09C set in March 2024; the day also set a record for the hottest day recorded in the world's seas.
- Sep 9, 2026Copernicus reported Earth sweltered through its hottest month on record in August, averaging 62.53F (16.96C), one-hundredth of a degree Celsius more than the all-time global mark set in July 2023.