Marine Heatwave Hits 44% of Global Ocean in July with Temperatures of BC’s Coasts as Much as 4 Degrees Hotter than Normal

A concerning marine heatwave which began around Haida Gwaii has now stretched all the way to the north coast of the United States.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, roughly 44 percent of the global ocean hit heatwave conditions in July.

That marks the highest percentage of oceanic water facing the blistering conditions of any month since 1991.

Surface temperatures off BC’s coast are around two degrees hotter than normal, and waters further out are as much as three degrees warmer.

That’s resulting in category two and three heatwaves on the Administration’s five step scale, with patches hitting level four further out to sea.

But that still pales in comparison to surface temperatures around Japan and Russia, which are between 4 and 6 degrees hotter than normal.

Forecasts have the heatwave continuing to move closer to the North American coast, with experts predicting it to last through the end of the year.