It is a surprising development: the Atlantic is cooling at an unprecedented rate and scientists are desperately searching for explanations.
The phenomenon comes after global ocean temperatures reached record highs for more than a year and concerns about a possible collapse of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation.
Normally, ocean temperatures fluctuate throughout the year. However, the current cooling trend, dubbed the “Atlantic Niña,” is progressing much faster than usual, MSN reports. The pattern appears to precede the expected transition to a cooler La Niña phase in the Pacific. While the drop in temperature is welcome, it can lead to various weather effects around the world.
The cooling trend in the Atlantic Ocean marks the end of a 15-month period of unprecedented ocean temperatures. With El Niño conditions waning in May and La Niña set to occur between September and November, cooler waters are expected to be driven up from the equator by stronger winds.
The prospect of simultaneous La Niña events in the Atlantic and Pacific has piqued scientists’ interest. Long-standing record temperatures have added to the unpredictability, and scientists are eager for more data.
Although a La Niña phenomenon in the Atlantic is not entirely unexpected, its timing has surprised many. With the Atlantic cooling rapidly and the Pacific expected to follow suit within months, scientists are predicting a “tug of war” between the two oceans as they try to stabilize their temperatures.
