The Algarve's coastal waters have reached unprecedented temperatures, marking a significant environmental event. According to the Portuguese Navy, sea temperatures in the Algarve soared to 25.1 degrees Celsius between June and July, a record for the region.
This phenomenon, identified as a 'marine heatwave', was detected by a buoy near Faro's beaches, part of the national monitoring network by the Hydrographic Institute (MONIZEE). The findings reveal temperatures 'significantly higher' than the average over the past two decades, signaling an extreme weather event.
A marine heatwave is defined when daily sea temperatures exceed a high statistical threshold (the 90th percentile) for at least five consecutive days, compared to the average for that region and time of year. In Faro, the recorded sea temperature was more than 5°C above the average, based on data from the last 20 years (2004–2024).
This alarming rise in sea temperature underscores the growing impact of climate change on marine ecosystems, with potential repercussions for biodiversity and coastal communities.
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