Record-High Temperatures in German North Sea Highlight Climate Crisis

The German North Sea reached its warmest average temperature ever recorded in 2024, with both the North and Baltic Seas showing significant warming linked to climate change.

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.