High Temperatures Unleash Marine Heatwave in Mediterranean

People cool off at the Mediterranean Sea on a beach on a hot summer day in Rincon de la Victoria, near Malaga, Spain, July 9, 2022. REUTERS/Jon Nazca
People cool off at the Mediterranean Sea on a beach on a hot summer day in Rincon de la Victoria, near Malaga, Spain, July 9, 2022. REUTERS/Jon Nazca
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High Temperatures Unleash Marine Heatwave in Mediterranean

People cool off at the Mediterranean Sea on a beach on a hot summer day in Rincon de la Victoria, near Malaga, Spain, July 9, 2022. REUTERS/Jon Nazca
People cool off at the Mediterranean Sea on a beach on a hot summer day in Rincon de la Victoria, near Malaga, Spain, July 9, 2022. REUTERS/Jon Nazca

High temperatures across Europe this month have unleashed a prolonged marine heatwave in the Mediterranean Sea that could ravage ecosystems and kill off several species in the coming weeks, scientists have warned.

The extreme heat in recent weeks has already sparked wildfires and led to thousands of heat-related deaths in Europe, but that warmth hasn't been limited to the land.

The warmer air along with shifting ocean currents and a stable sea surface have warmed coastal Mediterranean waters several degrees Celsius beyond the average temperature of 24°C to 26°C for this time of year.

Waters between Spain's Balearic Islands and the Italian coast were up to 5°C warmer than at the same time last year, Spain's AMET weather agency said Friday – while also warning that temperatures around the Spanish coast would be 3°C to 4°C higher until at least mid-August.

Spain's ports' authority said in a statement the water in Cabo de Gata, in the country's southeastern corner, registered a ten-year temperature record of nearly 28°C on Monday.

Marine heatwaves, which are far less researched than heatwaves on land, are becoming more frequent due to climate change, adding pressure to ecosystems already struggling from over-fishing and plastic pollution.

Ocean scientist Jean-Pierre Gattuso told Reuters that water near the French coastal city of Nice was measured at 29.2°C on June 25 - around 3.5°C higher compared to the same day last year.

"This is an absolute record since at least 1994 and very likely earlier," Reuters quoted him as saying.

"The ocean and sea are kind of a sponge for the heat," Gattuso explained.

Marine heatwaves also struck the Mediterranean in 2015 to 2019, leading to mass die-offs of marine life, according to a study this week from Spain's Institute of Marine Sciences.

This year's heatwave is worse.

"It is longer, and also the magnitude is larger," Gattuso said. The die-offs "will probably come later in August."



Flooding Hits China’s South, Temperatures Sizzle Elsewhere

 Visitors to a mall cool off near a mist machine during the summer heat in Beijing, Saturday, June 15, 2024. (AP)
Visitors to a mall cool off near a mist machine during the summer heat in Beijing, Saturday, June 15, 2024. (AP)
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Flooding Hits China’s South, Temperatures Sizzle Elsewhere

 Visitors to a mall cool off near a mist machine during the summer heat in Beijing, Saturday, June 15, 2024. (AP)
Visitors to a mall cool off near a mist machine during the summer heat in Beijing, Saturday, June 15, 2024. (AP)

China's National Meteorological Center on Sunday issued an alert for high temperatures as multiple regions across the country experience sweltering heat, while many southern provinces issued severe flood warnings due to heavy rains.

The intensity of high temperatures is expected to decrease in north China and regions between the Yellow River and the Huaihe River, the center said.

The center forecast maximum temperatures of 37-39 degrees Celsius (99-102 degrees Fahrenheit) in parts of Xinjiang, Inner Mongolia and Henan on Sunday.

Heavy rains have lashed southeastern Fujian province for seven days and are expected to continue, with water levels in some rivers exceeding warning levels.

Authorities have released water from several reservoirs, China's state television CCTV reported.

Authorities in Guangxi region said water levels of some local rivers had "skyrocketed" and that a student was killed in the floods in the southern city of Guilin, CCTV reported.