Marine heatwave Bulletin
Forecasts for 31 January 2026​

European Zone

 

Mediterranean Sea

The marine heatwave affecting the entire basin is decreasing in extent but remains stable in intensity, with mostly moderate and locally strong categories. 

North Atlantic

The area covered by marine heatwaves in the Bay of Biscay, between Iceland and the British Isles, as well as in the North Sea and the Baltic Sea, is decreasing, but the intensity of these marine heatwaves remains stable, with moderate categories still predominant and strong categories occurring locally.

 

Global Ocean

 

North Altantic

Marine heatwaves in the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean Sea, and from the Antilles to the center of the basin remain stable in terms of area and intensity, with moderate and strong categories still present. 

South Atlantic

The marine heatwave near 0°W is increasing in area and intensity, with the appearance of strong categories. The marine heatwave around 15°W remains stable in area and intensity, with moderate and strong categories continuing. 

North Pacific

The marine heatwave in the center of the basin around 180°W and 50°N remains stable in extent and intensity, with moderate and strong categories still in place. The marine heatwave east of the Philippines is decreasing in intensity, with a reduction in the area covered by strong categories. The marine heatwave present in the center of the basin up to the North American coast remains stable in terms of surface area and intensity, with a few scattered areas still classified as moderate. 

South Pacific

The marine heatwave along the coast of Chile remains stable in terms of area and intensity, with moderate and strong categories still present between 0°S and 30°S, but around 40°S the marine heatwave is intensifying with the appearance of strong and locally severe categories. The marine heatwave around 100°W is decreasing in area, with only a few scattered areas remaining in the moderate category. The marine heatwave northeast of New Zealand is decreasing in area and intensity, with most areas now in the moderate category and locally strong categories.  

Southern Ocean

The marine heatwave between 30°E and 120°E remains generally stable, with moderate and strong categories still in place. South of New Zealand, a moderate to strong marine heatwave is developing.