Pacific Ocean Sea Temperatures Have Broken Records
The heart of El Niño reached 37.49 degrees Fahrenheit, marking a new high in ocean anomalies.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Severe Weather
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The Climate Change Institute has recorded a new record-breaking sea surface temperature of 37.49 degrees Fahrenheit in the Pacific Ocean. This event, driven by a super El Niño and global heating, surpasses the previous high set in November 2015.
Why it matters
This development represents the strongest ocean anomaly in the last 170 years, signaling significant shifts in global climate patterns. Scientists currently link the warming to a combination of a super El Niño event and human-induced global heating.
The Pacific Ocean hit 37.49 degrees Fahrenheit, exceeding the 35.6-degree threshold required to define a super El Niño event. This measurement is drawn from a 170-year record of ocean anomalies and calculated using an average of 14 different models.
The players
Climate Change Institute
This research organization monitors environmental data and tracks long-term shifts in global climate patterns.
Zeke Hausfather
He is a climate scientist who utilizes multi-model averaging to estimate and track global temperature changes.
Climate Prediction Center
This agency provides official climate forecasts and tracks sea surface temperature anomalies to monitor El Niño cycles.
The details
Calculated by Zeke Hausfather using 14 different models, this surge pushes sea temperatures well beyond the 32.9-degree threshold for an El Niño. Scientists now project that the current event will continue to intensify through the end of the year.
Timeline
November 2015 saw the previous sea surface temperature high set.
September 23, 2026, marks the official end of summer.
October 2026 temperatures are leaning slightly warmer than normal.
November-December 2026 is the projected peak of the current super El Niño.
Seasonal Patterns
This record-breaking warming follows the historical precedent set by the November 2015 El Niño sea surface temperature high. By surpassing that previous peak, the current event marks the strongest ocean anomaly recorded in the last 170 years.
Residents in regions like the Cascades should prepare for shifting weather patterns as the super El Niño influences rain and snow. Monitoring official reports from the Climate Prediction Center is advised for those tracking potential impacts on regional climate.
The takeaway
The current super El Niño event is expected to drive 2027 to become the hottest year on record. Readers should anticipate continued volatility in temperature and precipitation patterns as the anomaly peaks later this year.
What happens next
Climate scientists anticipate the current super El Niño will reach its peak intensity between November and December 2026, with surface temperatures potentially climbing to 39.2 degrees Fahrenheit.
Further reading
For more analysis on global climate trends, visit the Severe Weather section.
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