Environment News

Global Ocean Temperatures – 2026 July

August 12 , 2026 20 hrs 0 min 8 0

Global sea surface temperatures (SST) outside the polar regions reached a record high in July 2026.
The average SST between 60°N and 60°S was 20.96°C, surpassing the previous July record of 20.89°C in 2023.
El Niño conditions in the Equatorial Pacific Ocean are strengthening rapidly and are contributing to the high ocean temperatures.
July 2026 was the second-warmest globally, with an average surface air temperature of 16.90°C.
Western Europe recorded its warmest June–July period, along with heatwaves, dry conditions and wildfires.
Western Europe also recorded very low surface soil moisture, while drier conditions affected parts of Canada, the United States, Africa, Asia and South America.