2023 Gulf of Maine sea surface temperatures increased by 2 degrees due to warm water runoff from increased rainfall on hot, impervious surfaces.
2023 saw unusually warm sea surface temperatures in the Gulf of Maine, despite stable summer air temperatures. Increased rainfall, falling on hot, impervious surfaces, caused warm water runoff to flow into the sea, raising surface ocean waters by 2 degrees. This temperature increase emphasizes the importance of retaining rainwater on land to cool the ocean, promote photosynthesis, and draw more carbon dioxide to mitigate climate change.
May 19, 2024
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