SRINAGAR: April 2026 was the joint third-warmest April ever recorded globally, with sea surface temperatures nearing historic highs and Arctic sea ice shrinking to its second-lowest extent for the month, according to the latest Climate Bulletin issued by the Copernicus Climate Change Service.
The report said average sea surface temperatures across extra-polar oceans — between 60° South and 60° North — reached 21°C in April, making it the second-highest reading on record for the month, behind only April 2024.
Scientists linked the warming oceans to the expected development of El Niño conditions in the coming months. Record-high sea surface temperatures were observed across large stretches of the tropical Pacific, including areas extending toward the western coasts of the United States and Mexico, where strong marine heatwaves were reported.
“These SSTs corresponded to strong marine heatwave conditions — prolonged periods of unusually warm ocean temperatures that disrupt marine ecosystems and fisheries and can affect coastal economies,” the bulletin said.
Samantha Burgess said the latest findings reflected a growing pattern of climate extremes.
“April 2026 adds to the clear signal of sustained global warmth. Sea surface temperatures were near record levels with widespread marine heatwaves, Arctic sea ice remained well below average, and Europe saw sharp contrasts in temperature and rainfall; all hallmarks of a climate increasingly shaped by extremes,” Burgess said.
Globally, the average surface air temperature in April stood at 14.89 degrees Celsius, or 1.43 degrees above the estimated 1850-1900 pre-industrial baseline. The month tied with April 2016 and April 2020 as the third-warmest April on record.
The report noted that Europe experienced its tenth-warmest April overall, though temperatures varied sharply across the continent. Southwestern Europe recorded significantly above-average temperatures, with parts of northern Spain and southern France experiencing their warmest April on record, while much of eastern Europe remained colder than average.
Arctic sea ice extent in April was measured at 4.8 percent below average, making it the second-lowest April extent on record after 2019. According to the bulletin, Arctic sea ice has ranked among the three lowest monthly extents globally since November 2025.
In Antarctica, sea ice extent was 9.7 percent below average, ranking as the 11th-lowest April level recorded. The Bellingshausen Sea remained virtually ice-free during the month, though neighbouring areas of the Amundsen Sea recorded above-average ice coverage.
The report also highlighted major rainfall contrasts across Europe and Asia.
Large parts of western and central Europe, including France, sections of Switzerland and the western Balkans, experienced drier-than-average conditions. In contrast, eastern and southeastern Europe, Iceland, parts of Ireland, Italy, Spain and the Caucasus recorded above-average rainfall and soil moisture.
Flooding was reported in the North Caucasus region, while flash floods and landslides also affected parts of the Arabian Peninsula and southwest Asia, including Iran, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia and Syria, with United Nations reports and media accounts indicating loss of life in several areas.
