Global ocean summer surface temperatures this year were the highest ever recorded, according to a US national climatic data centre announcement last week.

Ocean surface temperatures were the warmest for any August since record keeping began in 1880. For the June to August summer months, average ocean surface temperatures were 16.9 degrees Celsius, 0.6C above the 20th century average.

Combined average land and ocean surface temperatures were the second warmest on record for August, and the third warmest for the summer months.

Here in Australia, we had our warmest August (mid-winter for us) since climate records began.

The unusually warm summer ocean temperatures were due to climate change and El Niño. It is likely that more temperature records will be set during the coming two years if the El Nino event strengthens and persists.

So far 2009 has been the fifth warmest year on record. Some scientists suggest that the coming decade could well be the hottest in human history.

Sea temperatures are increasing due to global warming.

Related posts:

1. NOAA: Global Surface Temperature Was Second Warmest for September Ever Recorded
2. NOAA: Global Ocean Surface Temperature Warmest on Record for June
3. Third lowest Arctic sea-ice minimum for 2009