--- title: "July 2026 ocean temperatures break records as El Niño strengthens" publication: "MediaBias News" url: "https://mediabias.news/climate/july-2026-ocean-temperatures-break-records-as-el-nino-strengthens" api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/july-2026-ocean-temperatures-break-records-as-el-nino-strengthens" markdown: "https://mediabias.news/climate/july-2026-ocean-temperatures-break-records-as-el-nino-strengthens.md" audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/july-2026-ocean-temperatures-break-records-as-el-nino-strengthens" category: "Climate" area: "European Union" published: "2026-08-10T15:46:30.064Z" source_reported: "2026-08-10T15:11:30.000Z" updated: "2026-08-10T15:46:30.064Z" trust_score: 86 critic_score: 95 hype_score: 12 assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis" fact_check_status: "not-performed" coverage_measured: "2026-08-10T15:30:20.070469+00:00" --- # July 2026 ocean temperatures break records as El Niño strengthens *EU climate monitor reports global sea surface temperatures reached 20.96°C, the highest for any July on record* **Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): - Trust 86 of 100, higher is better. Trust high due to named experts, Copernicus dataset, specific temperature figures and dated July 2026 data. - Craft 95 of 100, higher is better. Clear explanation of significance, quotes from experts, precise data, and future outlook. - Hype 12 of 100, lower is better. Headline matches content; no exaggerated language. Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology. **The short version** - The average sea surface temperature across extra-polar oceans reached 20.96°C in July 2026, surpassing the previous July record set in 2023. - July 2026 was the joint second-warmest July globally, tied with July 2024, according to the Copernicus Climate Change Service. - Western Europe recorded its hottest June-July period on record, with temperatures 2.79°C above the 1991-2020 average. - Developing El Niño conditions are forecast to strengthen, further influencing global weather patterns in the coming months. The European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service reported that global ocean temperatures reached a record high in July 2026. The average sea surface temperature across the extra-polar oceans, measured between 60 degrees south and 60 degrees north latitude, was 20.96°C. This exceeded the previous July record of 20.89°C, set in 2023. July 2026 was the joint second-warmest July on record globally, tied with July 2024. The average surface air temperature was 16.90°C, 1.47°C above the pre-industrial average for 1850-1900. Western Europe experienced its hottest June-July period, with an average temperature of 21.62°C, 2.79°C above the 1991-2020 average. Developing El Niño conditions were identified as a factor in the record ocean temperatures. The phenomenon is expected to strengthen in the coming months. Persistent high-pressure systems and dry soils in Western Europe contributed to prolonged heatwaves, reduced river flows, and increased wildfire activity. ## What the coverage left out None of the right-rated digests mentioned the specific air temperature anomaly of 1.47°C above the pre-industrial average. The centre-rated digests did not include details on the reduced river flows in Western Europe or the comments from Copernicus scientists on wildfire activity. The left-rated digests, aside from CGTN’s full report, omitted the broader context of drought and its impact on water supplies and ecosystems. ## Who covered it Shares of the 18 covering outlets with a published leaning rating: - Left: 56% (10) - Centre: 27% (5) - Right: 17% (3) 4 of 22 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-08-10T15:30:20.070469+00:00. **Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 1 time; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-08-10T16:00:25.382Z. ## How the sides framed it ### Left - The eight left-rated digests led on the record-breaking ocean temperatures and their connection to climate change. CGTN’s full report detailed the role of El Niño, the impact on Western Europe’s heatwaves, and the broader implications for wildfires and drought. The Seattle Times and Los Angeles Times focused on the potential effects of El Niño on sea levels along the California coast. - CGTN quoted Samantha Burgess, strategic lead for climate at the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts, who stated, "July 2026 was the third consecutive month of exceptional heat in western Europe." The report also included comments from Laurence Rouil, director of the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service, on the link between climate change and wildfire intensity. ### Centre - The five centre-rated digests highlighted the record ocean temperatures and their ties to El Niño. BBC News and Internewscast noted the broader climate concerns raised by the temperatures, while ElNacional.cat focused on the Mediterranean’s unusually high sea surface temperatures. ANSA and 20minutos reported the global ranking of July 2026 as the second-warmest July on record. ### Right - The three right-rated digests led on the record ocean temperatures but placed greater emphasis on the impact in Western Europe. El Mundo reported that July 2026 was the second-warmest July globally and noted Spain’s record-breaking temperatures. La Razón and Het Laatste Nieuws both mentioned the 20.96°C average ocean temperature and linked it to heatwaves, drought, and wildfires in Europe. **Provisional coverage gap:** right. The watch is not closed, so this is not yet a settled blindspot finding. ## Factuality profile of the covering outlets These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true. - mixed: 4 - high: 11 - unknown: 7 ## Verification scope This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true. ## Original reporting this was written from - [The Seattle Times](https://seattletimes.com/nation-world/el-nino-could-bring-highest-sea-levels-ever-recorded-to-ca-coast) — El Niño could bring highest sea levels ever recorded to the California coast - [Newser](https://newser.com/story/394379/el-nino-building-oceans-hit-hottest-july-on-record.html) — El Nino Building, Oceans Hit Hottest July on Record - [DR](https://dr.dk/nyheder/vejret/verdenshavene-var-rekordvarme-i-juli) — World Oceans Were Record Warm in July - [Internewscast](https://internewscast.com/news/record-ocean-temperatures-signal-strengthening-el-nino-raising-climate-concerns) — Record Ocean Temperatures Signal Strengthening El Niño, Raising Climate Concerns - [TUOI TRE ONLINE](https://tuoitre.vn/bien-nong-chua-tung-thay-trong-thang-7-qua-dang-lo-100260810162546722.htm) — Unprecedentedly Hot Sea Temperatures in July Are a Cause for Serious Concern. - [BBC News](https://bbc.com/news/articles/cpvw8vmmgrwo) — World's oceans hit record-high July temperatures - [Los Angeles Times](https://latimes.com/california/story/2026-08-10/el-nino-could-bring-california-its-highest-sea-levels-ever-recorded) — El Niño could bring highest sea levels ever recorded to the California coast - [Xinhua](https://english.news.cn/20260810/94e4d7ce30e94de3b6bb68e4b8468c7c/c.html) — Global ocean temperatures hit record July high as El Nino develops: EU climate monitor - [china.org.cn](https://china.org.cn/world/Off_the_Wire/2026-08/10/content_118640834.shtml) — Global Ocean Temperatures Hit Record July High as El Nino Develops: EU ... - [Scientific American](https://scientificamerican.com/article/world-ocean-temperatures-hit-extreme-new-record-for-july) — World ocean temperatures hit extreme new record for July - [El Mundo](https://elmundo.es/ciencia/2026/08/10/6a79868021efa006658b4583.html) — Oceans Reach a New Historic Peak in July While Western Europe Lives Its Warmest Summer Start - [MEO](https://middle-east-online.com/%D9%8A%D9%88%D9%84%D9%8A%D9%88-%D9%8A%D8%B4%D8%B9%D9%84-%D8%A5%D9%86%D8%B0%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%AE) — July Triggers Climate Alarm - [Quotidiano Nazionale](https://quotidiano.net/video/esteri/a-luglio-2026-caldo-record-per-la-superficie-dei-mari-xlf1d3py) — In July 2026 Hot Record for the Surface of the Seas - [CGTN](https://news.cgtn.com/news/2026-08-10/Global-ocean-temperatures-hit-record-July-high-as-El-Nino-develops-1PunQias4Ss/p.html) — Global ocean temperatures hit record July high as El Nino develops - [ElNacional.cat](https://elnacional.cat/ca/sostenibilitat/nostre-mediterrani-es-brou-nous-records-temperatura-futur-incert_1679572_102.html) — Our Mediterranean Is a Soup: New Temperature Records and an Uncertain Future - [ANSA](https://ansa.it/sito/videogallery/mondo/2026/08/10/a-luglio-2026-caldo-record-per-la-superficie-dei-mari_b80bea5d-0911-4dd0-a16a-0a5c950e9c00.html) — In July 2026 Hot Record for the Surface of the Seas - [La Razón](https://larazon.es/sociedad/record-oceanos-mar-registra-temperatura-mas-alta-jamas-medida-mes-julio_202608106a79798aa5690f047371aaa2.html) — Record in the Oceans: the Sea Reaches Its Highest Temperature Ever Recorded in a Month of July - [Irish Times](https://irishtimes.com/environment/climate-crisis/2026/08/10/worlds-seas-hit-hottest-temperature-on-record-for-july-say-scientists) — World’s seas hit hottest temperature on record for July, say scientists - [Het Laatste Nieuws](https://hln.be/wetenschap/oceanen-waren-in-juli-warmer-dan-ooit-met-recordtemperatuur-van-meer-dan-20-graden-celsius~addf0cff) — Oceans Were Warmer than Ever in July, with Record Temperatures of over 20 Degrees Celsius. - [20minutos](https://20minutos.es/ciencia/mes-julio-fue-segundo-julio-mas-calido-jamas-registrado-nivel-mundial_7024073_0.html) — This July, the Second Warmest Ever Recorded Worldwide - [Trouw](https://trouw.nl/nieuws/live-klimaat-zeewater-was-wereldwijd-in-juli-niet-eerder-zo-warm~b8cfb869) — Seawater Worldwide Was Warmer in July than Ever Before. - [Folha de S.Paulo](https://redir.folha.com.br/redir/online/emcimadahora/rss091/*https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/ambiente/2026/08/com-el-nino-oceanos-batem-recorde-de-temperatura-em-julho.shtml) — With El Niño, Oceans Record Temperature in July - 09/08/2026 - Environment ## Questions **What was the average sea surface temperature in July 2026?** The average sea surface temperature across extra-polar oceans reached 20.96°C in July 2026, surpassing the previous record of 20.89°C set in 2023. This was reported by the Copernicus Climate Change Service and corroborated by multiple outlets. **How did July 2026 rank globally in terms of temperature?** July 2026 was the joint second-warmest July on record globally, tied with July 2024. The average surface air temperature was 16.90°C, 1.47°C above the pre-industrial average, as reported by the Copernicus Climate Change Service. **What role did El Niño play in the record temperatures?** Developing El Niño conditions were identified as a factor driving the record ocean temperatures in July 2026. The phenomenon is forecast to strengthen in the coming months, potentially influencing global weather patterns further. **Which regions were most affected by the heat in July 2026?** Western Europe experienced its hottest June-July period on record, with temperatures 2.79°C above the 1991-2020 average. The region faced prolonged heatwaves, drought, and increased wildfire activity, as detailed in reports from the Copernicus Climate Change Service. --- MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/climate/july-2026-ocean-temperatures-break-records-as-el-nino-strengthens. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "July 2026 ocean temperatures break records as El Niño strengthens", https://mediabias.news/climate/july-2026-ocean-temperatures-break-records-as-el-nino-strengthens