The North Sea has reached its highest temperature in 40 years
Last weekend, the water temperature in the North Sea off the coast of the Netherlands reached its highest level in the entire observation period, which spans about four decades.
The Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI) reported that last weekend, one of the observation stations in the North Sea, located 30 km off the coast, recorded a water temperature of 21.5°C, the highest reading since 1984.
The previous temperature record was set on August 8, 2018, at 21.4°C.
In the area around the platform where the measuring station is located, three “marine” heatwaves have already been recorded in 2026.
Experts at the institute explain that the overheated sea could significantly affect the weather in the coming months. In the fall and winter, for example, the Netherlands may experience exceptionally heavy rainfall and storms. In addition, there is a risk that fish species typical of the region will migrate to more comfortable habitats, which could have consequences for fishing.
Last week, it was announced that the summer of 2026 was the second driest on record since observations began in 1901. Water levels in the Rhine also hit historic lows.
This was reported by NOS.
In Germany, a rescued humpback whale was returned to the North Sea.
Recall: A humpback whale is once again trapped on a sandbar off the coast of Germany.
The whale managed to free itself from the shallows off the coast of Germany — Bild.
As a reminder, a whale that was stranded on a sandbar is being rescued off the German coast.
Also in Germany, a whale rescue operation failed.
