The Impacts of Climate Change on Sea Temperature around the UK and Ireland

Sea surface temperature (SST) around the UK generally shows a significant warming trend of around 0.3°C per decade over the last 40 years. Regional variations exist in this trend with surface warming being greatest across the southern North Sea and least across the north-west of the region. Warm-season (Autumn) near-bottom temperatures have increased significantly across the southern North Sea over the last 30 years, but not across other regions of the region. Marine heatwaves are increasing in frequency around the UK, particularly in northern regions, significantly altering ocean conditions, with growing ecological impacts and clear spatial variability across the North Sea and English Channel.