The world's oceans recorded their hottest June ever, with global average sea surface temperatures reaching 20.98°C. According to the European Union's Copernicus Marine Service, this figure surpassed previous records for the month from 2023 and 2024.
European Union monitors noted that the first half of 2026 was the second-warmest on record, a period marked by sustained and exceptional ocean warmth.
European scientists warned that the emergence of an El Niño weather pattern, alongside human-driven climate change, could push sea and air temperatures to fresh records in the months ahead.