Overview

• The German North Sea's average surface temperature in 2024 was 12.1°C, the highest since records began in 1969, exceeding the long-term average by 1.5°C.
• Across the entire North Sea, the average temperature was 11.1°C, making 2024 the fourth-warmest year on record for the region.
• The Baltic Sea's average temperature in 2024 was 9.6°C, more than 1°C above the long-term average and the second-warmest year since records began in 1990.
• Regional variations were observed, with warmer-than-usual water in the southern North Sea and Baltic regions, while northern areas like the Norwegian Trench were closer to or slightly below average.
• Experts attribute these warming trends to climate change, with the North Sea warming by 1.5°C since 1969 and the Baltic Sea by 1.9°C since 1990, raising concerns about ecological impacts on marine ecosystems.