⚡Global ocean temperatures set new records for 100 consecutive days as El Niño conditions intensify.

What it means

The world's oceans have experienced record-breaking average surface temperatures for 100 consecutive days, a milestone driven primarily by human-induced climate change. The developing El Niño event is now adding further heat, raising the risk of extreme weather patterns in the coming year. This means the combined effect of long-term warming and a natural climate cycle could push ocean temperatures even higher, with consequences for marine life and global weather systems.

Accuracy & sourcesGrounded

The claim is well-supported. Reporting by Mongabay, the Financial Times, the Guardian, and other outlets all point to the same underlying data from NOAA and the World Meteorological Organization. The WMO's own update from 3 September 2026 confirms 'exceptional ocean heat' and a strong El Niño, so the core facts are solid.

How new

Genuinely new — the reporting is from mid-September 2026 and covers a record that had just reached the 100-day mark, built on data from the preceding months.

Go deeper

• Mongabay — first to publish