El Niño Heats Christmas Island Waters by 2C, Bleaching Reefs Before Winter Peak
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Sep 9
El Niño Heats Christmas Island Waters by 2C, Bleaching Reefs Before Winter Peak
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Sep 9
Summary
Christmas Island’s ocean is already at least 2C above average at 30-30.5C, and researchers found active reef bleaching months before El Niño’s usual winter peak.
That early warming at the Central Pacific atoll—near El Niño’s geographic center—signals the event could become record-breaking and shows the ocean has already moved into uncharted territory.
The pattern has already helped drive the hottest summer on record in the United States and boosted Pacific hurricane activity, including rare damaging storms near Hawaii.
It has also suppressed Atlantic hurricanes and left parts of the Caribbean drier than usual, as forecasters watch how El Niño’s strongest phase could reshape day-to-day winter weather.