The Mediterranean Sea is experiencing an intense marine heatwave, which scientists believe could be a one-in-a-billion climatological event. This means that the current temperatures are already eight degrees Celsius hotter than the normal for this time of the year. Scientists say that this rise in marine temperature is impossible to happen without accelerated global warming, a consequence of human-caused climate change, reported Down to Earth.
According to Centre for Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation, a marine heatwave is a period of usually high ocean temperatures of the surface and sub-surface of a sea are much higher than the normal for extended periods of the time.
The marine life of the Mediterranean is already suffering due to higher-than-normal temperatures. They also pose a risk for future months as they can make the weather severe due to increased moisture in the atmosphere which could cause more intense storms and rainfall in the coming months.
“What are the odds this July’s Mediterranean heat is natural? About 1 in a billion! It's the most extreme Mediterranean heatwave on record. Peak anomalies +8°C (+14F) now off France / Italy with absolute peak temps near 31°C (88F),” wrote Jeff Berardelli, chief meteorologist and climate specialist for WFLA TV news channel, wrote on X.
“Does it mean the Mediterranean (Med) is hotter than it has ever been? No. It means it is the hottest relative to where it should be in early July,” added Berardelli.
Heatwave Threatens Livelihoods, Ecosystems
The marine heatwave is already surged Mediterranean Sea temperatures in June, with a Greek scientist warning some species are under threat in what has likely been a record period, reported Reuters.
According to EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Service, Copernicus Marine Service data indicated sea surface temperatures on June 22 were more than 5 degrees Celsius above the seasonal average.
"June 2025 saw an exceptional heatwave impact large parts of western Europe, with much of the region experiencing very strong heat stress. This heatwave was made more intense by record sea surface temperatures in the western Mediterranean. In a warming world, heatwaves are likely to become more frequent, more intense and impact more people across Europe,” stated Samantha Burgess, Strategic Lead for Climate at ECMWF.
