For several days, water temperatures in the Mediterranean have reached remarkable levels, locally hitting 30°C between Corsica and Italy.
The temperature of the Mediterranean Sea has reached record levels, up to 30°C, which is comparable to the tropical waters of the Caribbean. Why such overheating?
Overheating due to repeated heatwaves since the beginning of summer
Since June, a very warm air mass has affected the Mediterranean regions. The initial heat was felt in the east, towards the Balkans and Greece, which experienced a severe heatwave. Although June was relatively cool in mainland France, intense heat began to affect Corsica and the far southeast of the country. These recurring and uninterrupted heatwaves have allowed the sea to accumulate a significant amount of heat over the weeks, resulting in the high temperatures seen today.
Indeed, temperatures are currently between +3 and +5°C above normal for this time of year. A new water temperature record was set this Sunday afternoon off Nice (06), with a buoy recording 30°C. Another record was also set on Tuesday, with 30°C off Monaco.
Possible Consequences of These High Temperatures
In meteorology, seas and oceans function as a engine, distributing energy to the atmosphere through evaporation. The warmer the sea, the more energy and water vapor it can transfer to the atmosphere (+7% relative humidity for every additional +1°C, according to the Clausius-Clapeyron equation).
This increase in atmospheric moisture can fuel thunderstorms, such as those seen in Mediterranean or Cévenol episodes in the fall. In this scenario, and if the synoptic conditions (referring to the global meteorological context that drives air masses) are favorable, Cévenol episodes could be more intense, increasing the risk of flooding or inundation. However, autumn is still a long way off, and there is no guarantee that Mistral or Tramontane winds will not occur before then to lower sea temperatures, particularly through upwelling effects.
Source: La chaine météo
