Global sea surface temperature hits record high in August 2026
Average daily sea surface temperature reached 21.1°C in August 2026, a record, as a brewing El Niño and climate change drive ocean heat.
The Full Story
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The world's oceans have reached their warmest daily average temperature on record for August, according to new data from the European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service. The global average sea surface temperature hit 21.1 degrees Celsius, surpassing the previous peaks of 2023, 2024 and 2025 by a clear margin.
The figures, released this week, show the gap between current temperatures and the long-term average from 1979 onwards is widening. Scientists say the oceans absorb around 90% of the excess heat caused by greenhouse gas emissions, and the new record is a stark signal of how rapidly the planet's climate system is changing.
A notable detail in the data is the timing of the peak. Typically, the global average sea surface temperature reaches its annual high in February or March, when the southern hemisphere's oceans are at their warmest, because that hemisphere has a much larger share of the world's sea surface. But this year the record occurred in August, which points to an additional factor: a powerful El Niño that is building in the Pacific Ocean. According to meteorologists, that El Niño is not expected to peak until late 2026, meaning ocean temperatures are likely to stay unusually high through autumn and possibly into early 2027.
The consequences extend far beyond the oceans themselves. Warmer seas provide more energy for storms and increase the amount of moisture in the atmosphere, which can lead to more intense rainfall and more destructive weather. Marine ecosystems are also under stress, as corals and other heat-sensitive species struggle to cope.
While a change of a few tenths of a degree may sound small, it is averaged across all the world's oceans, so it represents a massive amount of additional heat. The current tracking shows temperatures running about half a degree warmer than the historical baseline. Experts warn that, with the El Niño still developing, further records are likely in the coming months.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | Sky News |
|---|---|
| Global average daily sea surface temperature reached a record high of 21.1°C in August 2026. | |
| Oceans absorb about 90% of heat from climate change. | |
| The record was partly driven by an emerging El Niño in the Pacific Ocean. |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
Sky News focused on explaining the science behind the record, using its science and technology editor to break down the data from Copernicus. The segment highlighted the unusual August timing, linked it to the developing El Niño, and stressed the broader implications for weather and marine life. The tone was factual but conveyed a sense of concern about future wild weather.
- “the heat has been rising there too”
- “90% of that heat that we're experiencing gets absorbed by the oceans”
- “probably we're on course for some more wild weather as the months continue from now”
Broadcast Timeline
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