That’s due to multiple stressors such as coral disease, nutrient pollution and bleaching. Still, this change in weather pattern is promising, especially if it can continue for a couple of weeks.īut even before this latest bleaching episode, only 3% of coral cover is left in the Florida Keys (down from 40% in the 1970s). Therefore the temperatures there are not as hot, but will drop less and take longer to do so. The reef exists on the south side of the Florida Keys, adjacent to deeper water and stronger ocean currents. The 101-temperature reading on Monday was not on the reef tract and has no impact on the coral. Shallow water temps can change fast.īut it should be noted the bay is not where the coral reefs are. On Wednesday, sea surface temperatures in Florida Bay were 10 degrees lower than Tuesday due to clouds, rain and wind. The season’s first tropical wave is moving in. When you combine a favorable weather pattern for ocean warming, on top of the long-term trend of rising ocean temperatures, the result is more frequent and intense heatwaves and growing coral mortality. This summer’s weather pattern has been very stagnant across South Florida with light winds and rising sea surface temperatures. That has spiked ocean temperatures and not allowed for cooling breaks. The result has been a stagnant weather pattern for weeks with light winds. This summer, Florida has experienced a very odd weather pattern, where the typical Atlantic high pressure did not nose its way into Florida and the easterly winds did not materialize (until now). Since the end of spring, the weather pattern in South Florida has played an integral role in its marine heatwave. Most marine heatwaves come and go based on weather patterns and wind, or lack thereof. While human-forced heating is responsible for some of this heat, the rest can be blamed on the weather. Global Ocean Departure from Normal Temperatures. NOAA Coral Reef Watch has the area under Alert Level 2, the highest alert for bleaching. Unfortunately, ocean temperatures in the Keys usually peak in late August and early September, so unless there is a major weather pattern shift, this heat stress will likely continue for several more weeks. If the heat lasts eight weeks, a bleaching event becomes likely. NOAA Coral Reef Watch says at four weeks, coral can begin to show signs of stress. (NOAA Coral Reef Watch)Īlthough tropical corals live in warm water, they are very sensitive to just a couple-degree (Fahrenheit) spikes in sea surface temperatures, especially if it lasts for too long. In parts of the Keys reef tract, that is 11 weeks. Degree Heating Weeks is the number of weeks that coral has been under heat stress. According to Mission: Iconic Reefs, the “optimal” temperature for reef-building corals maxes out at 84 degrees. Mission: Iconic Reefs, a large-scale NOAA-led coral restoration initiative, reports that the most recent seafloor temperature at Sombrero Key (off Marathon) is 93.4 F and at Looe Key (off Big Pine Key) is 89.6 F. Water temperatures are at record levels in the low 90s along the reef tract, which is several degrees above the normal temperatures in the mid-80s. For the past 10-plus weeks, coral has had to endure unusual heat stress. (Dana Williams NOAA)Īlthough the bleaching and mortality seem to be happening fast, getting to this point has taken about two months.
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