By Zoila Palma: Sea surface temperatures in a key region of the Pacific Ocean have reached their highest level ever recorded, as a rapidly strengthening El Niño continues to develop.
Preliminary data from the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) showed the average temperature in the Niño 3.4 region reached 85.73°F (29.85°C) on September 29, surpassing the previous daily record of 85.68°F set in November 2015.
The Niño 3.4 region covers about 2.4 million square miles of the central and eastern equatorial Pacific and is closely monitored to measure the strength of El Niño.
NOAA cautioned that the September 29 reading remains preliminary and could change as additional observations from ships, buoys and other sources are incorporated. Data from buoys along a 1,000-mile stretch of the Pacific on September 30 recorded temperatures ranging from 83.8°F to 87.8°F.
Scientists say the record warmth is raising concerns about marine ecosystems, coral reefs and communities that depend on the ocean.
Ben Kirtman, dean of the University of Miami Rosenstiel School, described the situation as a combination of climate change and a rapidly strengthening El Niño, noting that temperatures in the region could continue rising into November. The current El Niño developed earlier than expected and is not expected to reach its peak until later in 2026.
The unusually warm Pacific waters could also affect marine species, weather patterns and coastal communities.
Scientists have reported changes in the distribution of marine species, while warming waters have already been linked to disruptions in marine food chains in parts of the Pacific.
The post International News: Pacific Ocean reaches record-high temperatures as El Niño intensifies appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Zoila Palma: Sea surface temperatures in a key region of the Pacific Ocean have reached their highest level ever recorded, as a rapidly strengthening El Niño continues to develop. Preliminary data from the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) showed the average temperature in the Niño 3.4 region reached 85.73°F (29.85°C) on September
The post International News: Pacific Ocean reaches record-high temperatures as El Niño intensifies appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
