Record High Temperatures in the Ocean in 2024

Heating in the ocean has continued in 2024 in response to increased greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere, despite the transition from an El Niño to neutral conditions. In 2024, both global sea surface temperature (SST) and upper 2000 m ocean heat content (OHC) reached unprecedented highs in the historical record. The 0–2000 m OHC in 2024 exceeded that of 2023 by 16 ± 8 ZJ (1 Zetta Joules = 1021 Joules, with a 95% confidence interval) (IAP/CAS data), which is confirmed by two other data products: 18 ± 7 ZJ (CIGAR-RT reanalysis data) and 40 ± 31 ZJ (Copernicus Marine data, updated to November 2024). The Indian Ocean, tropical Atlantic, Mediterranean Sea, North Atlantic, North Pacific, and Southern Ocean also experienced record-high OHC values in 2024. The global SST continued its record-high values from 2023 into the first half of 2024, and declined slightly in the second half of 2024, resulting in an annual mean of 0.61°C ± 0.02°C (IAP/CAS data) above the 1981–2010 baseline, slightly higher than the 2023 annual-mean value (by 0.07°C ± 0.02°C for IAP/CAS, 0.05°C ± 0.02°C for NOAA/NCEI, and 0.06°C ± 0.11°C for Copernicus Marine). The record-high values of 2024 SST and OHC continue to indicate unabated trends of global heating.

Keyword(s)

ocean heat content, sea surface temperature, ocean temperature, global warming, climate

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Cheng Lijing, Abraham John, Trenberth Kevin E., Reagan James, Zhang Huai-Min, Storto Andrea, von schuckmann Karina, Pan Yuying, Zhu Yujing, Mann Michael E., Zhu Jiang, Wang Fan, Yu Fujiang, Locarnini Ricardo, Fasullo John, Huang Boyin, Graham Garrett, Yin Xungang, Gouretski Viktor, Zheng Fei, Li Yuanlong, Zhang Bin, Wan Liying, Chen Xingrong, Wang Dakui, Feng Licheng, Song Xiangzhou, Liu Yulong, Reseghetti Franco, Simoncelli Simona, Chen Gengxin, Zhang Rongwang, Mishonov Alexey, Tan Zhetao, Wei Wangxu, Yuan Huifeng, Li Guancheng, Ren Qiuping, Cao Lijuan, Lu Yayang, Du Juan, Lyu Kewei, Sulaiman Albertus, Mayer Michael, Wang Huizan, Ma Zhanhong, Bao Senliang, Yan Henqian, Liu Zenghong, Yang Chunxue, Liu Xu, Hausfather Zeke, Szekely Tanguy, Gues Flora (2025). Record High Temperatures in the Ocean in 2024. Advances in Atmospheric Sciences. INPRESS. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00376-025-4541-3, https://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00935/104738/

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