Florida’s coastal cities are also grappling with the effects of record ocean warming. The water temperature is already well above 30 degrees Celsius in many places. The water temperature in the Gulf of Mexico is about three degrees warmer than normal.
A NOAA buoy reported a record high of 36.1 degrees Celsius near Johnson Key this week. Another buoy recorded temperatures approaching 35 degrees near Vaca Key over the weekend.
“The water is so warm that you can’t cool down at all”
This means water temperatures in the Gulf of Mexico and Southwest Atlantic are two to three degrees above normal, worries NOAA National Weather Service meteorologist Andrew Orrison. “That’s unbelievable. The water is so warm that you can’t cool down at all.”
The unusual water temperatures are endangering the corals off the coast. It’s likely “due to poor bleaching,” said Liv Williamson of the University of Miami’s Coral Reef Futures Lab. The danger of major bleaching on many reefs along the Pacific Islands from the equator to Florida is 90 percent.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
