The Mediterranean Sea has reached unprecedented temperature levels this summer, with Mallorca recording a national high of 31.87°C, sparking concerns among meteorologists about the potential for severe weather events.
The State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) in the Balearic Islands has confirmed that these extreme sea temperatures are linked to the fourth heatwave of the summer, which has now given way to torrential rains and strong winds across the region.
The record-breaking temperature in Mallorca was recorded on August 12th at the Sa Dragonera buoy, surpassing the previous national record of 31.36°C set in the same location two years ago. This week, the average temperature of the Mediterranean Sea hit 28.16°C, the highest since data collection began in 1982.
“Ticking time bomb’
Experts warn in de newspaper El Mundo that the unusually warm sea temperatures are a “ticking time bomb” for the development of severe weather systems. According to Salud Deudero, Director of the Balearic Oceanographic Centre of IEO-CSIC, the hot sea surface can rapidly generate vertical clouds that lead to intense rainfall and flooding, conditions already observed this week in Formentera and Ibiza.
The current atmospheric conditions are being driven by a DANA (Depresión Aislada en Niveles Altos), which has brought severe thunderstorms to the Balearic Islands. This phenomenon is exacerbated by the elevated sea temperatures, which provide additional moisture and energy to the storms.
Three to four degrees higher than average
José Luis Camacho, a spokesperson for Aemet, explained that the Mediterranean’s water temperatures are three to four degrees higher than average, further contributing to the severity of the current weather events. The lack of recent storms has allowed the water temperature to rise unchecked, creating conditions ripe for extreme weather when the first storms of the season finally arrive.
Climate experts believe the ongoing climate crisis to be responsible for the increasing frequency and intensity of these marine heatwaves. Deudero highlighted that the Mediterranean is warming 20% faster than the global average, with potentially devastating impacts on marine ecosystems, including coral bleaching and the loss of marine life.
Risk of further severe weather events
Looking ahead, meteorologists predict that sea temperatures will remain high, particularly in the central and eastern Mediterranean, raising the risk of further severe weather events in the coming weeks. Scientists expect the continued warming of the Mediterranean to have significant implications for coastal regions, including prolonged heatwaves, altered weather patterns, and rising sea levels.