The surface temperature of the north-western Mediterranean has reached a historic high following the recent heatwave, with waters along the Côte d'Azur running 5.2 degrees above seasonal norms, according to France 3 Régions.
The spike, described by meteorologists as exceptional, follows the sustained orange heatwave alert that kept the Alpes-Maritimes under extreme heat conditions for more than a week. Sea surface temperatures along the Riviera coastline are significantly warmer than expected for this time of year, with implications for marine ecosystems, jellyfish proliferation and the comfort of swimmers.
Unusually warm Mediterranean waters have been linked in recent summers to more intense and rapid storm formation, particularly the violent flash flooding events that have affected the Alpes-Maritimes in recent years. Meteorologists say the combination of a warm sea and the humid air following the heatwave increases the risk of severe localised storms along the coast.
The heatwave also accelerated the ongoing pressure on posidonia seagrass beds and other fragile marine ecosystems along the Côte d'Azur, which are already under strain from anchor damage, pollution and rising baseline temperatures.
Source: France 3 Régions