El Nino sets ocean temperature record, scientists warn of new global heat high in 2027

According to the European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service, sea surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean's key monitoring zone reached their highest-ever point last September because of a powerful El Nino. Copernicus said the temperature in the region known as 'Nino 3.4' was measured at about 29.70 degrees Celsius.

This is higher than the temperatures recorded during the major El Ninos of 1982-83, 1997-98 and 2015-16. However, the agency clarified that this cannot be called the most powerful El Nino in history, since the oceans had already been warming due to climate change.

Copernicus said the global average sea surface temperature in September reached about 21.05 degrees Celsius. The average surface temperature of the Earth that same month was about 16.27 degrees Celsius, roughly 1.63 degrees above the pre-industrial average.

Copernicus director Carlo Buontempo said monthly temperatures could remain above roughly 1.5 degrees Celsius over pre-industrial levels through 2027. Scientists have warned that global temperatures could set a new record in 2027.