The surface ocean temperature in and around the Florida Keys reached extremely high levels this week, similar to that of a hot tub. This comes after recent warnings from global weather monitors about the dangerous consequences of warming waters on ecosystems and extreme weather events.
According to U.S. government data, a water temperature buoy located in the Everglades National Park recorded a high of 101.19 degrees Fahrenheit (38.44 Celsius) on Monday afternoon. Other nearby buoys also registered temperatures above 100F (38C) and in the upper 90s (32C).
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) states that normal water temperatures for this time of year in the area should range between 73F and 88F (23C and 31C). These findings were published by the National Data Buoy Center.
These readings further emphasize the previous warnings about the warming waters in Florida and the southeastern United States. Prolonged heat has been affecting other parts of the country as well.
Experts in the field of climate change assert that the increasing frequency and intensity of severe weather events, both on land and in oceans, are a result of global, human-driven climate change. Current heatwaves are expected to continue throughout August.
The United Nations’ World Meteorological Organization (WMO) recently reported that global sea temperatures have reached record highs since May. This is partly due to an El Nino event. The WMO and NOAA warn that temperatures like those in South Florida can be deadly for marine life and pose a threat to ocean ecosystems.
These rising temperatures can also have a significant impact on human food supplies and the livelihoods of those who depend on the water.
Fishing boat captain Dustin Hansel, while filleting fish in Key Largo, expressed concern about the declining catch over the past five summers. He has also noticed an increase in dead fish in the waters around Key Largo. Hansel described the bay waters and near-shore waters as “super, super hot.”
NOAA issued a warning earlier this month, stating that the warmer water around Florida could intensify tropical storms and hurricanes, as these weather systems gain more energy from warmer waters. The agency also highlighted the severe stress that rising temperatures are placing on coral reefs.
In conclusion, the high ocean temperatures in the Florida Keys are a cause for concern, as they have significant implications for ecosystems, extreme weather events, marine life, and human livelihoods.
