Global Oceans Hit 69.5°F June Record as El Niño and Warming Drive Heat
Updated
Updated · CNN · Jul 1
Global Oceans Hit 69.5°F June Record as El Niño and Warming Drive Heat
3 articles · Updated · CNN · Jul 1
Summary
June 21 pushed average global sea surface temperatures to 69.5°F, the highest ever recorded for June and just above the previous mark set in 2024, Copernicus data showed.
Copernicus Marine Service separately measured 69.38°F on the same day, beating its prior June record by 0.18°F and reinforcing that the spike was not a one-off reading.
El Niño's onset is helping lift temperatures, while human-caused warming is adding a deeper trend after oceans absorbed about 90% of excess heat from fossil-fuel emissions.
Hotter seas can intensify heat waves, storms and extreme rainfall, while also raising risks of coral bleaching, marine die-offs and faster sea-level rise.
Scientists said it is unclear whether the June surge is temporary or the start of a new phase, but warned more temperature records could fall in coming months.
A 'super El Niño' is forming in record-hot oceans. What extreme weather should the world brace for in the coming year?
With climate monitoring systems facing cuts, how can we track the escalating threats from our superheated oceans?
Fossil fuel firms knew of ocean risks decades ago. What legal action can hold them accountable for today's record heat?
El Niño 2026: Historic Climate Extremes and the Global Response to a Supercharged Event
Overview
As of June 2026, the global climate system is experiencing a clear shift from the previous La Niña phase, which ended in February, to a strengthening El Niño event. This transition began with a neutral state in May and is marked by a substantial reservoir of heat building beneath the Pacific Ocean surface. The heat is expected to rise in the coming months, leading to warmer global conditions. Recent temperature records already show this warming trend, with April 2026 recording the second-highest ocean surface temperatures ever observed, highlighting the intensifying impact of El Niño on the world's climate.