Arctic Blast Transforms West Florida Shelf with Brilliant Blue Waters
Arctic Blast Transforms West Florida Shelf with Brilliant Blue Waters
US · Published Feb 23, 2026
An Arctic blast in early 2026 caused the West Florida Shelf waters to turn a brilliant blue.
NASA's Terra satellite captured the phenomenon, revealing suspended calcium carbonate mud as the cause.
The event demonstrates the far-reaching impact of Arctic air masses on subtropical marine environments.
Unusual cold turns waters brilliant blue
In late January and early February 2026, an Arctic blast swept through eastern North America, bringing unusually cold and wintry conditions as far south as Georgia. This extreme weather event caused a remarkable transformation of the West Florida Shelf, where the waters turned a brilliant blue. NASA's Terra satellite captured this phenomenon on February 3, 2026, revealing that the vibrant color was due to suspended calcium carbonate mud stirred up from the seafloor by the cold air. This event underscores the significant impact that Arctic air masses can have on subtropical marine environments, demonstrating the interconnectedness of Earth's systems.
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