In view of the ever-rising sea temperatures, researchers are now sounding the alarm. The Tyrrhenian Sea on the west coast of Italy is warmer than ever. A maximum of 30 degrees was reported in the south and especially in the Aeolian Islands off Sicily, Claudio Tei, meteorologist with the Lamma-Cnr consortium, reported. But the Adriatic Sea has already reached temperatures of up to 28 degrees.
The Italians, who are burdened by record temperatures, hardly find any cooling in the sea. The reasons for this are the persistent heat waves and the absence of precipitation for months.
The researchers continuously monitor the development of the water temperature using satellite images in the infrared range. By the end of July, temperatures in the Mediterranean were already at their highest levels to date, which had only been reached at the end of August to the beginning of September.
Basis for jellyfish invasions
The western Mediterranean in particular is currently significantly warmer than normal: water temperatures up to 30 degrees in some cases – which previously did not exist in the “Mediterraneo”. The long-term consequences of climate change cannot yet be foreseen. In any case, the experts warn about the effects of the “tropicalization” of the Mediterranean on fisheries and on certain types of coral.
In recent years, 600 tropical fish species have already spread in the Mediterranean. The jellyfish invasions, which are increasingly reported in summer, are also a sign of the climate changes affecting the Mediterranean.
Huge fall impact
However, a direct effect of the heat has already been identified – namely for the fall. Due to the high water temperatures, many autumn storms are expected, which will cause very heavy rainfall locally. But experts also do not rule out so-called Medicanes, or locally limited, tropical-like cyclones.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
