welt.de
Record High Sea Temperatures in the North and Baltic Seas in Summer 2025
The North and Baltic Seas experienced record-high surface temperatures during the summer of 2025, exceeding long-term averages by up to two degrees Celsius, impacting marine ecosystems and fisheries.
- How do these temperature increases compare to previous years and what are the long-term trends observed in the Baltic Sea?
- The average North Sea temperature of 15.7 degrees Celsius in Summer 2025 would make it the warmest on record, surpassing 2003 and 2014. The Baltic Sea has warmed faster than the North Sea since 1990, with an average increase of almost 2 degrees Celsius.
- What were the highest surface temperatures recorded in the North Sea during Summer 2025, and what areas were most affected?
- In the western and southwestern North Sea, including the English Channel, surface temperatures exceeded long-term averages by up to two degrees Celsius. The German Bight and the eastern North Sea were up to 1.3 degrees warmer than usual. The average North Sea temperature was approximately 15.7 degrees Celsius, potentially making 2025 the warmest summer on record.
- What impact did the unusual warming have on marine ecosystems, and what broader implications are there for climate monitoring in tropical regions?
- The unusual warming led to longer and more frequent marine heatwaves, exemplified by a 55-day heatwave at the Kiel Lighthouse station. In the Gulf of Panama, a crucial upwelling current failed to appear, impacting the local ecosystem and highlighting the need for improved ocean climate monitoring in tropical regions, given their ecological and socioeconomic importance.
Cognitive Concepts
Bias by Omission
While the article focuses on the North and Baltic Seas, it could benefit from broader geographical context. Mentioning similar trends in other parts of the world could provide a more complete picture. The article also doesn't discuss potential causes of the rising temperatures beyond mentioning altered wind patterns in the Panama case.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article directly addresses the alarming increase in sea surface temperatures in the North and Baltic Seas, and the unprecedented cessation of a crucial upwelling current in the Gulf of Panama. These phenomena have severe consequences for marine ecosystems, including coral reefs and fisheries, directly impacting SDG 14 (Life Below Water) targets related to marine biodiversity, ocean acidification and the impacts of climate change on oceans. The text highlights the increased frequency and duration of marine heatwaves, threatening marine life and the services they provide.