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April 2026 recorded the second-highest sea surface temperatures ever observed for the month, continuing a trend of unusually warm oceans that scientists say is increasingly shaping weather patterns around the world. According to the latest data from the Copernicus Climate Change Service, average sea surface temperatures over extra polar oceans reached around 21°C in April, just below the record set in April 2024 during the last major El Niño event. Researchers say the warming is being driven by a combination of long-term climate change and the possible return of El Niño conditions in the Pacific Ocean, raising concerns about more extreme heat, floods and marine heatwaves in the months ahead.
Global oceans remain near record heat levels
Copernicus data shows that April 2026 was the joint third warmest April globally, with the average global surface air temperature reaching 14.89°C, about 0.52°C above the 1991 to 2020 average for the month. Scientists also estimate that global temperatures in April were around 1.43°C above pre-industrial levels, keeping the planet close to the 1.5°C warming threshold referenced in the Paris Agreement.
But it was the oceans that drew particular attention. Sea surface temperatures across the extra polar oceans ranked as the second-highest on record for April, only slightly below the levels recorded during the strong El Niño conditions of 2024. Large parts of the tropical Pacific recorded exceptionally warm conditions, while several regions experienced strong marine heatwaves. Scientists say oceans absorb most of the excess heat trapped by greenhouse gases, making sea surface temperatures one of the clearest indicators of how much the climate system is warming.
El Niño concerns are growing again
Researchers say the unusually warm ocean conditions may signal the development of a new El Niño event in the coming months. El Niño is a naturally occurring climate pattern linked to warmer sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean. It can temporarily raise global temperatures and alter rainfall and weather patterns across large parts of the world.
The World Meteorological Organisation and other forecasting agencies have already indicated a growing likelihood of El Niño conditions emerging later this year. Scientists warn that if El Niño strengthens on top of existing human-driven warming, it could intensify extreme weather events globally, including heatwaves, droughts and flooding. Some forecasts now suggest that 2027 could challenge existing global heat records if ocean warming continues at its current pace.
The return of warmer Pacific waters is also significant because the previous El Niño event contributed to several months of record-breaking global temperatures during 2023 and 2024. Even though the current warming has not yet reached those peaks, researchers say the persistence of near-record ocean heat remains concerning.
Marine heatwaves are becoming harder to ignore
Beyond global temperature records, scientists are increasingly worried about the ecological impacts of persistently warm oceans. Marine heatwaves can damage coral reefs, disrupt fisheries and alter ocean ecosystems by reducing oxygen levels and changing species distribution. In some regions, sea temperatures are now remaining unusually high for extended periods, leaving ecosystems with less time to recover.
Warm oceans also influence weather systems over land. Higher sea surface temperatures increase evaporation and moisture in the atmosphere, which can contribute to heavier rainfall and more intense storms. At the same time, warmer waters can strengthen heatwaves by adding more energy to the atmosphere. Scientists say these interconnected impacts show how ocean warming is no longer only a marine issue but a growing driver of climate extremes affecting communities worldwide.
References:
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/04/climate/el-nino-global-warming.html
Banner image: Photo by Martin Franco on Unsplash
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