Florida ocean temperature reaches record-breaking 100-degree hot-tub levels.
Florida ocean temperature reaches record-breaking 100-degree hot-tub levels.
Hot Tub or Hot Water: Record-Breaking Sea Temperatures in Florida

Just 26 miles away, scientists saw devastating effects from prolonged hot water surrounding Florida — devastating coral bleaching and even some death in what had been one of the Florida Keys’ most resilient reefs. Climate change has been setting temperature records across the globe this month.
A Potential Record-Breaking Event
The National Weather Service reported a potentially record-breaking sea surface temperature reading in Florida. On Monday evening, a buoy at Manatee Bay registered 101.1 degrees Fahrenheit (38.4 degrees Celsius). The previous day, the same buoy showed an online reading of 100.2 degrees Fahrenheit (37.9 degrees Celsius). While unofficial, these readings have caused meteorologists to consider the possibility of a new record.
In a 2020 study, a sea surface temperature of 99.7 degrees Fahrenheit (37.6 degrees Celsius) in Kuwait Bay was listed as the highest recorded globally. Similarly, nearby buoys in Florida have recorded temperatures in the range of 98 and 99 degrees Fahrenheit (36.7 and 37.2 degrees Celsius), indicating the plausibility of a new record being set.
Hot Tub Conditions in the Ocean
Meteorologist Jeff Masters humorously compared the high water temperature to a hot tub, stating, “I like my hot tub around 100, 101. That’s what was recorded yesterday.” Hot tub manufacturer Jacuzzi recommends water temperatures between 100 and 102 degrees Fahrenheit (37.8 and 38.9 degrees Celsius). The novelty of these extreme ocean temperatures has left experts astounded.
However, concerns exist about the shallow nature of Manatee Bay and its proximity to warm land, such as the Everglades National Park. University of Miami tropical meteorologist Brian McNoldy emphasized that these factors might challenge the acceptance of the sea temperature as an official record, despite its alignment with the current trends in Florida.
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Impacts on Coral Reefs
While the area around Manatee Bay lacks extensive coral reefs, nearby Cheeca Rocks experienced bleaching and even coral death, according to Ian Enochs, lead of the coral program at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory. NOAA researcher Andrew Ibarra confirmed the severity, stating that the entire reef exhibited varying degrees of bleaching.
Coral bleaching, a process that weakens and potentially kills coral, occurs when water temperatures exceed the upper 80s (low 30s Celsius). Enochs expressed concern about the early occurrence and routine nature of bleaching events, which were previously unheard of before the 1980s. These impacts add to the ongoing coral problems in Florida, with NOAA increasing the level of alert earlier this month.
Global Record-Breaking Heat
The extreme sea surface temperatures seen in Florida are part of a broader trend of global warming. Sea surface temperatures around the world broke monthly heat records in April, May, and June, as reported by NOAA. In the North Atlantic, temperatures have risen significantly. Near Newfoundland, some spots have experienced temperatures 9 to 11 degrees Fahrenheit (5 to 6 degrees Celsius) above normal.
These record-breaking temperatures have grave implications for marine ecosystems and underline the pressing need for concerted efforts to combat climate change. The early occurrence of such events in Florida is a clear indication of the urgency to address the underlying factors contributing to global warming.
Overall, while the humorous comparison to a hot tub may evoke a chuckle, the consequences of skyrocketing sea temperatures on coral reefs and ecosystems are no laughing matter. It is crucial for scientists, policymakers, and individuals alike to recognize the gravity of these record-breaking events and take immediate action to protect the world’s oceans.