By Dare Akogun
April 2026 is on track to become the second-warmest April ever recorded for global ocean temperatures, as new data shows a rapid rise in sea surface temperatures across key regions, particularly the equatorial Pacific.
Early estimates released on Monday by the Copernicus Marine Service indicate that the global ocean recorded an average sea surface temperature of 21.07°C in April 2026, slightly below the all-time April record of 21.10°C set in 2024.
The findings, based on analysis and a 10-day forecast system implemented by Mercator Ocean International, point to a sustained warming trend driven by climate change and shifting ocean-atmosphere dynamics.
Oceanographer Simon van Gennip, who leads the Ocean Monitoring Service at Mercator Ocean, said the trend mirrors recent extremes.
“Following March, we are once again seeing a very warm April, with surface temperatures approaching levels similar to the records observed in 2024, particularly in the Pacific,” he said.
The report highlights the equatorial Pacific as a major area of concern, with average temperatures reaching 26.99°C—the warmest April ever recorded for the region, surpassing the previous high of 26.86°C in 2017.
This region plays a central role in the El Niño–Southern Oscillation, a climate system that significantly influences global weather patterns, including rainfall and temperature variability in Africa.
Data shows that 57 per cent of the equatorial Pacific experienced marine heatwaves in April, the greatest extent on record, exceeding 2024 levels.
Scientists said the disappearance of cooler-than-average waters in the central Pacific suggests that ENSO conditions are currently neutral but evolving.
Seasonal forecasts from the Copernicus Climate Change Service indicate a likely transition to El Niño conditions later in 2026, a development that could have far-reaching climate implications.
Globally, about 46 per cent of the ocean experienced marine heatwaves in April, making it the third-largest extent on record after 2016 and 2024.
Marine heatwaves, prolonged periods of unusually high ocean temperatures, pose significant risks to marine ecosystems, fisheries and coastal livelihoods.
The Pacific Ocean recorded widespread temperature anomalies, particularly along the west coast of North America and parts of South America, where strong and persistent marine heatwaves were observed.
In Europe, the Mediterranean Sea recorded an average temperature of 17.16°C, making it the fourth-warmest April on record, with nearly 89 per cent of the basin experiencing above-average temperatures.
Meanwhile, the North Atlantic recorded an average sea surface temperature of 20.61°C, ranking as the ninth-warmest April historically.
Climate experts said rising ocean temperatures have direct and indirect consequences for countries like Nigeria, including disruptions to rainfall patterns across West Africa, coastal flooding and sea-level rise, declining fisheries productivity, and more frequent extreme weather events.
An El Niño event later in the year could also affect Nigeria’s agricultural cycle, potentially leading to irregular rainfall, drought in some regions or flooding in others.
Nigeria, with its extensive Atlantic coastline and dependence on rain-fed agriculture, remains particularly vulnerable to such shifts.
The latest data reinforces a broader pattern of ocean warming linked to human-induced climate change.
Recent years, including 2023 and 2024, have seen record-breaking ocean temperatures, driven by greenhouse gas emissions and increased heat absorption by the oceans.
Scientists warn that oceans absorb more than 90 per cent of excess heat from global warming, making them a critical indicator of climate change.
As global oceans continue to warm, the risks to ecosystems, economies and vulnerable communities are expected to intensify, underscoring the urgent need for climate action and adaptation strategies.
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