Record High Ocean Temperatures Observed in China's Coastal Waters

The National Marine Environmental Forecasting Center has reported that the average temperature of China's coastal waters has achieved a new record, highlighting a global pattern of increasing ocean temperatures. In 2024, the average sea surface temperature reached 21.50 °C, which reflects a rise for the second year in a row. This figure is 0.15 °C higher than the previous year and 1.16 °C above the usual annual average.

Additionally, the Copernicus Climate Change Service has indicated that the global sea surface temperature in 2024 has also hit an unprecedented high of 20.87 °C, making it the warmest year recorded for ocean temperatures according to modern observational data. The escalation in ocean temperatures is contributing to a surge in severe weather patterns and climate-related incidents, as noted by the center.

A separate report released concurrently reveals that 104 nations have this year reported their highest temperatures ever. These extreme weather conditions, which include severe droughts, heatwaves, and wildfires, have notably impacted regions such as South Africa, South Asia, the Philippines, Brazil, Europe, and the northeastern United States. This report was led by researchers from the Institute of Atmospheric Physics at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, incorporating insights from 54 scientists collaborating across 31 research institutions globally.