VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Sea surface temperatures in parts of the western Mediterranean climbed to as much as 6°C above the long-term average on Monday, according to satellite data released by the Copernicus Marine Service.
The EU’s Earth observation programme said the spike followed a marine heatwave in late May and was intensified by the prolonged heat that affected western and central Europe during late June.
Satellite imagery from 29 June showed the largest temperature anomalies in the Gulf of Lion off southern France and in the Ligurian and Tyrrhenian seas along Italy’s western coast.
Copernicus said sea surface temperatures also rose significantly in the southern North Sea and the Baltic Sea compared with late May.
The service said its data helps monitor marine heatwaves, assess ocean conditions and identify potential risks to marine ecosystems worldwide.
The latest findings also support forecasts by Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology Professor Aldo Drago, who predicted sea temperatures around Malta would reach about 28°C over last weekend.
The unusually warm swimming conditions were already evident on Monday and were expected to continue into Tuesday.
Drago said the warmest waters were forecast to extend from the Northern to the Southeastern coast of the island, while slightly cooler conditions were expected south of Gozo.
– Photo Copernicus Marine Service Inline image –
(ITALPRESS).
