Observations of unprecedented ocean temperatures in 2023 could be typical for a world 3.0°C warmer than pre-industrial levels, according to a new study. Since March 2023, the North Atlantic began showing unusually high temperatures, significantly higher than those observed in the last 40 years. As of August 2023, the North Atlantic was approximately 1.4°C warmer than the 1982-2011 average.

Analysis of climate model predictions found that last year’s extreme ocean conditions were similar to what scientists expect to happen on average if global warming reaches 3°C (5.4°F). Global temperatures are now about 2.2°F (1.2°C) warmer than pre-industrial levels.

A new study recently published American Meteorological Society Bulletins It examines the reasons for the record ocean temperatures observed in 2023.

The study was conducted by Dr. from the University of Reading. It was conducted by Till Kulbrodt. He said: “Extreme heat in the North Atlantic and the absence of sea ice in the Southern Ocean in 2023 show us that the oceans are alarming. We need to understand exactly why parts of the ocean are warming rapidly so we can prepare for more frequent weather changes across the planet. “How often we will experience such extremes depends on finding out what is driving the Atlantic and Southern oceans into uncharted territory.”

Climate connection?

The study highlights that Earth’s energy imbalance is likely a major cause of extreme ocean temperatures, as the planet absorbs more than 1.9 watts per square meter of solar energy than it radiates back into space as residual heat. This is approximately 300 times the world’s annual electricity consumption in one year on Earth.

This imbalance has increased rapidly in recent years, mainly due to heat-trapping gases resulting from human activities. Increasing energy surplus contributes to warming oceans; More than 90% of the excess energy stored by the Earth goes into the oceans.

The Atlantic Ocean has warmed faster than any other ocean basin in the top 100 meters of the ocean since 2016. Researchers suggest that this increased warming in the Atlantic may be related to record-low sea ice levels in the Southern Ocean.

Rapid warming in the Atlantic coincided with a sharp decline in sea ice around Antarctica. The amount of winter sea ice in Antarctica in 2023 will reach its lowest level since satellite monitoring began in the 1970s.

Researchers emphasize the need to measure how rapid warming in the Atlantic is affecting sea ice cover. Reliable determination of ocean and sea extreme ice levels will enable climate models to accurately predict future ice extreme levels, which will inform mitigation policies and resilience measures worldwide.

Dr Kuhlbrodt added: “We need more data from the Atlantic to definitively link warming trends and ice loss to changes in the patterns of ocean currents, but the signals point to hidden climate links between the poles.”