Marine heatwave Bulletin
Forecasts for 2 May 2026​

Key takeaways

North AtlanticA marine heatwave (moderate, storong and extreme categories) is developing around the British Isles. 

Pacific Ocean

  • North – In the northwestern region of the basin, a marine heatwave is stable and remaining in moderate to locally extreme categories.
  • Centre – The marine heatwave off the coast of North America is decreasing in intensity but expanding to off the coast of Centra America.
  • South – In the South, a marine heatwave at 120°W is expanding and gaining intensity. 

 

 

Waves

Marine heatwave categories

European Zone

 

Marine heatwave category forecast for 2 May, 2026. European zone. Credit: European Union, Copernicus Marine Service/Mercator Ocean International

 

Mediterranean Sea

The marine heatwave affecting the western part of the basin, which has ranged from moderate to severe, is decreasing in both extent and intensity, with only a few scattered areas of moderate intensity remaining. 

North Atlantic

The marine heatwave in the Bay of Biscay remains largely stable, with moderate conditions still predominating. A marine heatwave of moderate to strong intensity, and locally extreme, is developing around the British Isles. 

Global Ocean

 

Marine heatwave category forecast for 2 May, 2026. Global Ocean. Credit: European Union, Copernicus Marine Service/Mercator Ocean International

North Atlantic

The marine heatwave in the center of the basin around 30°N is decreasing in both area and intensity, with only a few scattered areas of moderate intensity remaining. 

South Atlantic

A moderate marine heatwave is developing near the equator. The marine heatwave near 15°S is decreasing in both area and intensity, with only a few scattered areas remaining in the moderate category. 

North Pacific

The marine heatwave near 180°W and 50°N remains generally stable in terms of extent and intensity, with conditions still ranging from moderate to severe and locally extreme.  The marine heatwave in the center of the basin, extending to the North American coast, is decreasing in intensity around 170°E, where there is a decrease in strong, severe, and extreme categories, and around 120°W, where there is a decrease in strong categories. The marine heatwave is also expanding in extent off the coast of Central America. 

South Pacific

The marine heatwave off the coast of South America is decreasing in both area and intensity, with only a few areas remaining in the moderate category. The marine heatwave near 120°W is increasing in intensity, and the area classified as strong is expanding. The marine heatwave off the Solomon Islands is decreasing in intensity and has moved into the moderate category. 

Indian Ocean

The marine heatwave in the central part of the basin around 10°S is intensifying, with an increase of strong categories. The rest of the marine heatwaves in the basin remain generally stable in both area and intensity, with conditions generally moderate and locally strong. 

Weekly temperature anomalies

 

Average sea surface temperature anomalies for Europe region (top) and in the global ocean, for the week 26 April – 2 May, 2026.

 

Mediterranean Sea 0°C – 2.5°C 
North Atlantic -3 °C – 3°C 
South Atlantic -3° C – 3°C 
North Pacific -2°C – >3°C 
South Pacific -2°C – >3°C  
Indian Ocean -1°C – 3°C 

Forecasts for 2 May 2026

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NOTES

Datasets and products: Global Ocean Physics Analysis and Forecast (sea surface temperature) E.U. Copernicus Marine Service/ Mercator Ocean International. https://doi.org/10.48670/moi-00016