According to data released by the EU’s Copernicus climate change service, global sea surface temperatures—excluding polar regions—surpassed all previous records for the month of July. This new peak exceeds the previous record set in 2023, marking a continued trend of rising marine temperatures. The report highlights that the Atlantic coast and the western Mediterranean experienced particularly severe marine heatwaves, which have been linked to broader climate patterns affecting western Europe.

While the sea surface temperatures reached record highs, the data also noted that global surface air temperatures for July 2026 were slightly lower than those recorded in July 2024. The report emphasizes the distinction between marine and atmospheric temperature trends, noting that the ocean's heat retention remains a significant area of focus for climate scientists. The findings are based on satellite and observational data collected by the Copernicus service, which monitors environmental changes globally. As these marine heatwaves continue to impact coastal regions, researchers are monitoring the long-term implications for marine ecosystems and regional weather stability. The data serves as a benchmark for ongoing climate monitoring, confirming that the warming of the world's oceans is occurring at a rate that consistently breaks historical records.