Scientists have observed the most extensive period of hot weather in terms of duration

The surface temperature of the World Ocean in 2023 remained at high values, and for a record-long period of time. This is reported by Science Daily journal with reference to research by Chinese scientists led by Tianyun Dong.

According to analyses, prolonged periods of hot weather in 2023 spread to 96% of the World Ocean surface. Thus, these events became the most extensive in the last 40 years.

"The indicators of 2023 may mark a fundamental shift in ocean and atmospheric dynamics, potentially serving as an early warning of an approaching tipping point in Earth's climate system", – the article states.

It is noted that the heat hit hardest in the northern part of the Atlantic Ocean, as well as the northern, southwestern, and tropical eastern parts of the Pacific Ocean.