The Mediterranean Sea is currently much warmer than average for this period. Much of the sea is still at surface temperatures from 25 °C to 30 °C, about 2.5 °C to over 4 °C warmer than long term average.
The most anomalously warm parts of the Mediterranean are the extreme northern Mediterranean alog the coast of southern France and northwest Italy (Ligurian sea) which is a full 3-4 °C above average. Also very warm is the entire Adriatic sea, which is about 2.5-3.5 °C above average. Virtually all of the Mediterranean is above average.
Mediterranean sea surface temperature anomaly on September 11, comparing current temperatures with 1982-2012 average. Data: CNR MED. Map by our co-admin Andrej Flis.
Looking at actual temperatures across the Mediterranean: the entire southern half is between 26 °C and 30 °C. Also very warm is the part between the eastern part of Spain and the Balearic Islands, with temperatures around 27-28 °C. Other parts are around 24-26 °C. Definitely still warm enough for a dip in the sea and even some late summer holidays! Check out the map below for details.
Mediterranean sea surface temperature on September 11. Data: CNR MED. Map by our co-admin Andrej Flis.
High sea surface temperatures increase the potential for severe thunderstorms and flooding in the autumn and winter months.