California Faces Intense Marine Heat Wave with Broad Impacts
• California is experiencing an intense marine heat wave affecting sea surface temperatures and weather patterns.
• Scientists at Scripps Institution of Oceanography have recorded unprecedented sea surface temperatures, linked to the Pacific Meridional Mode.
• The marine heat wave is expected to intensify, potentially becoming an El Niño event, impacting the Pacific Ocean's food web and weather conditions.
Marine heat wave hits California coast
California is currently experiencing a major marine heat wave stretching from the Baja Peninsula more than 500 miles southwest, causing significant changes in sea surface temperatures and weather conditions. Researchers at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography have recorded record-breaking sea temperatures at Scripps Pier in La Jolla, with 36 record days since January 1, 2026. This heat wave is connected to the Pacific Meridional Mode, a climate cycle linked to El Niño.
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