Oceans reach hottest June on record as El Niño threatens higher temperatures
Key takeaways
- Issued on: 01/07/2026 - 05:22Modified: 01/07/2026 - 05:23
- By: FRANCE 24 The sun sets over the Pacific Ocean, as seen from Huntington Beach, California on June 29, 2026. © Arafat Barbakh, Reuters.
- Global average sea surface temperatures in June were 20.98C, beating the previous records of 2023 and 2024, according to the European Union's Copernicus Marine Service.
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The world's oceans recorded their hottest June ever, European scientists said on Wednesday, warning 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.
Issued on: 01/07/2026 - 05:22Modified: 01/07/2026 - 05:23
By: FRANCE 24 The sun sets over the Pacific Ocean, as seen from Huntington Beach, California on June 29, 2026. © Arafat Barbakh, Reuters. The world's oceans experienced their hottest June on record and could reach new highs in the coming months as El Niño and human-driven climate change push temperatures even higher, scientists said on Wednesday.