Environment & Climate
Pacific sea temperatures hit records as El Niño strengthens, ranking disputed
Australia's Bureau of Meteorology and the EU's Copernicus service report record Pacific readings, while federal forecasters and Japan's agency differ on overall ranking.
Latest update: Japan's weather agency reported El Niño conditions reached record intensity, while regional Pacific sea temperatures set new highs.
The short version
- Australia's Bureau of Meteorology reports average weekly central Pacific sea-surface temperatures are at their highest level on record.[BBC News]
- Copernicus reports a record 29.70C in September in a key Pacific monitoring region, and Japan's weather agency says El Niño has reached its strongest intensity on record.[France 24]
- Federal forecasters say the event could become the strongest El Niño on record this year, using more conditional language than Japan's agency, so the ranking is unresolved.[France 24 · NPR]
Key facts
- Federal forecasters say the planet could see the strongest El Niño event on record this year.[NPR]
- Australia's Bureau of Meteorology says average weekly sea-surface temperatures in the central Pacific have reached their highest level on record.[BBC News]
- The EU's Copernicus climate service reports sea surface temperatures in a key Pacific monitoring region reached a record 29.70C in September.[France 24]
- Japan's weather agency said El Niño conditions reached their strongest intensity on record, with temperatures in the monitoring area 4C above normal.[France 24]
What remains uncertain
Sources
Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.