Global Humid Heatwaves Intensified by Coastal Ocean Warming
Global Humid Heatwaves Intensified by Coastal Ocean Warming
US · Published Mar 24, 2026
New research shows coastal ocean warming is making humid heatwaves worse worldwide.
Heatwaves are now clustering with other extreme heat events, making them more dangerous.
El Niño and rising sea temperatures are key factors driving these intensified heatwaves.
Coastal warming exacerbates humid heatwave risks globally
Recent research published in *Nature* highlights the intensifying impact of coastal ocean warming on global humid heatwaves. The study, analyzing data from 1982 to 2023, reveals that humid heatwaves are increasingly clustering with neighboring extreme heat events, exacerbating their risks. These events are defined by standardized maximum temperature and wet-bulb temperature exceeding the 95th-percentile threshold. Significant spatial aggregation is noted in regions like northeastern Asia, the southeastern United States, and eastern Europe.
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