Heat in the Atlantic
The map here is “sea surface temperature anomaly,” and is described as follows: The Atlantic Ocean basin is facing unprecedented conditions in 2024. A severe marine heatwave has developed in the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and off Florida’s coast, with water temperatures reaching the low 90s. The Florida Keys and the Bahamas are under a bleaching warning due to record-high temperatures, stressing coral reefs and marine ecosystems. Some areas are 5-8°F above normal.
Nearly the entire tropical Atlantic is experiencing a marine heatwave. These record temperatures will fuel stronger hurricanes. A 2°F rise in sea temperatures can increase hurricane wind speeds by over 13%, potentially turning a 140 mph Category 4 hurricane into a 160 mph Category 5, tripling the damage potential.
With La Niña creating favorable conditions for hurricane development, NOAA has issued its most aggressive hurricane season forecast on record for 2024.
