Overview

• Sea temperatures off Devon, Cornwall, and the west coast of Ireland have reached 15–16°C, 2–4°C above average for this time of year.
• The marine heatwave, ongoing since early March, is one of the longest and most intense spring heatwaves on record for the region.
• Prolonged high-pressure systems, weak winds, and a warm surface layer have created ideal conditions for the warming event.
• Scientists warn of potential ecological impacts, including disrupted plankton reproduction, reduced fish populations, and shifts in species distribution.
• Forecasted cooler weather and stronger winds may begin to dissipate the heatwave in the coming weeks, though climate change is expected to increase the frequency of such events.