North Pacific heatwave puts marine ecosystems under pressure
A widespread marine heatwave has been affecting the North Pacific Ocean since early 2026, with notable ecological impacts off the western coast of the United States, particularly off California. Marine heatwaves of this scale disrupt marine ecosystems, contributing to harmful algal blooms, shifts in fish distribution, and increased stress on marine species, including seabirds and marine mammals.
This data visualisation, based on data from the Copernicus Marine Service, shows sea surface temperature anomalies on 5 May 2026. Areas in red indicate waters warmer than average, stretching from the western coast of North America to the central North Pacific. At the marked point, anomalies exceed +4°C, with the accompanying time series indicating a sustained increase in sea surface temperature anomalies since early 2026.
Copernicus data support regular monitoring and forecasting of marine heatwaves, contributing to the management of marine ecosystems and fisheries.
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