A mysterious heatwave has enveloped the Pacific Ocean, marking its warmest summer on record. Sea surface temperatures in the region have surged more than 0.25C above previous highs, defying climate models that had predicted such an increase.
The phenomenon is part of a larger trend of marine heatwaves globally, which have been exacerbated by human-induced warming. The BBC's analysis of data from the European Copernicus Climate Service reveals that temperatures in the north Pacific have increased at a rate that surpasses most climate predictions, with temperatures this year far exceeding any previously recorded level.
Climate scientists are struggling to explain why the heatwave has persisted for so long and is wondering if human activities could be at play. Zeke Hausfather, a climate scientist at Berkeley Earth, notes that there's "definitely something unusual going on in the north Pacific." The region, known as the "warm blob," typically sees warmer-than-average temperatures during this time of year, but not to this extent.
While it's unclear what's causing the heatwave, researchers suggest that human activities could be contributing. A recent change to shipping fuels might be responsible for warming the region, as dirty engine oil used in ships previously released sulfur dioxide, which formed aerosols in the atmosphere and helped cool temperatures. The shift away from these pollutants may have reduced this cooling effect.
The implications of this heatwave are far-reaching, with potential effects on weather patterns across the globe. Long-term forecasts suggest that extreme heat in the north Pacific could impact the UK and Europe, potentially bringing a colder start to winter followed by milder conditions later on. However, climate scientists warn that predicting such outcomes is complex and subject to numerous variables.
Another factor at play is La Niña, a natural phenomenon in which surface waters in the eastern tropical Pacific cool significantly. This can have global impacts, including altering atmospheric circulation patterns. According to NOAA, weak La Niña conditions are expected to persist over the next few months, potentially bringing a milder winter to parts of Europe.
As the world grapples with the increasing frequency and severity of marine heatwaves, scientists emphasize the need for continued research into these phenomena and their connections to human activities. The Pacific Ocean's mysterious heatwave serves as a reminder of the complexities and uncertainties involved in understanding climate change impacts.
The phenomenon is part of a larger trend of marine heatwaves globally, which have been exacerbated by human-induced warming. The BBC's analysis of data from the European Copernicus Climate Service reveals that temperatures in the north Pacific have increased at a rate that surpasses most climate predictions, with temperatures this year far exceeding any previously recorded level.
Climate scientists are struggling to explain why the heatwave has persisted for so long and is wondering if human activities could be at play. Zeke Hausfather, a climate scientist at Berkeley Earth, notes that there's "definitely something unusual going on in the north Pacific." The region, known as the "warm blob," typically sees warmer-than-average temperatures during this time of year, but not to this extent.
While it's unclear what's causing the heatwave, researchers suggest that human activities could be contributing. A recent change to shipping fuels might be responsible for warming the region, as dirty engine oil used in ships previously released sulfur dioxide, which formed aerosols in the atmosphere and helped cool temperatures. The shift away from these pollutants may have reduced this cooling effect.
The implications of this heatwave are far-reaching, with potential effects on weather patterns across the globe. Long-term forecasts suggest that extreme heat in the north Pacific could impact the UK and Europe, potentially bringing a colder start to winter followed by milder conditions later on. However, climate scientists warn that predicting such outcomes is complex and subject to numerous variables.
Another factor at play is La Niña, a natural phenomenon in which surface waters in the eastern tropical Pacific cool significantly. This can have global impacts, including altering atmospheric circulation patterns. According to NOAA, weak La Niña conditions are expected to persist over the next few months, potentially bringing a milder winter to parts of Europe.
As the world grapples with the increasing frequency and severity of marine heatwaves, scientists emphasize the need for continued research into these phenomena and their connections to human activities. The Pacific Ocean's mysterious heatwave serves as a reminder of the complexities and uncertainties involved in understanding climate change impacts.
. I mean, 0.25C above previous highs is a big deal! Climate scientists are stumped, but it's not like they're just making it up 
. There's some serious research going on here. They think human activities might be contributing, but it's complicated 
. Like, what if the new shipping fuels are having an unexpected effect? It's a big puzzle to solve.
. It can affect weather patterns worldwide, so this heatwave in the Pacific could have major implications for other parts of the globe.
. We need to understand what's happening and how we can mitigate its effects. It's not just about the science; it's about our future 
.
the pacific ocean is basically boiling over with no clear reason why 
scientists are stumped like literally no one knows what's going on here 
and it's all connected to human activities... like we thought we were done with pollution from ships 
but apparently not 
and now the whole globe is gonna feel the heat 
so yeah just great 
the pacific is totes on fire with temps 0.25c higher than normal that's insane!!! i was talking to some scientist friend who said maybe its due to changes in shipping fuels? like they used to release sulfur dioxide which would cool things down but now its not happening anymore 
i dont know about u but im low-key freaking out about the implications of this heatwave on weather patterns worldwide 
cant even predict if europe is gonna have a colder or milder winter lol 
and the pacific ocean heatwave is just crazy - like what if it affects the weather in the uk too? 
. They're always predicting this, that, and the other thing, but somehow things still don't add up. Like, how can they not have seen this coming? It's like, we've known about climate change for decades now and we're just now surprised by a heatwave in the Pacific 
idk how much more can we take with this heatwave, it's like the pacific ocean is on fire 
. scientists are stumped trying to figure out why it's happening so long and if it's even human-induced, climate models predicted it would be more extreme but not THIS much 
.
! I mean what's next? Are we just gonna have to deal with a permanent heatwave and hope for the best? 
It's not like climate models said it was gonna happen or anything... or that humans wouldn't be able to mess up our planet 
. I mean I know we need to transition or whatever but come on, can't we just make sure it doesn't mess with our oceans too? 
. We're so caught up in our own problems that we forget about the planet and its little warning signs 
. The UK and Europe are gonna be all like 'oh look, it's cold' but really they're just playing with fire 