Atlantic ocean getting colder and colder: what is happening?

Scientists don't find out the cause of the change as the Atlantic Ocean cools to 25 degrees

Many people talk about warming the climate to minimize greenhouse gas emissions. But the truth is that the Atlantic Ocean has begun to cool at a record rate. The question is, how will this affect the climate and the weather more generally? And, more generally, what could this mean?

The sudden temperature changes in the Atlantic Ocean have alarmed more than just us mere earthlings. The topic has become particularly loud in the scientific world. Most surprisingly, the ocean's surface temperature, which was the highest since 1982 in March, has suddenly dropped to 25 degrees. The oceans' mysteries have always intrigued me, from under-explored sinkholes to the supernatural phenomena of the Bermuda Triangle. Where the naked eye cannot see, there is magic and mystery in the vast masses of water that fascinate scientists and enthusiasts alike. 

Indeed, ocean currents, underwater volcanoes, rare marine life and exploring the unknown depths reveal new theories that we want to get so close we can touch them with our fingers. This is nature, full of constant discovery and simultaneously a reminder of how complex and surprising this world is^[1]. Yet what is beautiful always leaves a trace of history. And this time, it is catching the attention of many, especially as climate warming is so often being talked about, and the Atlantic, look at it, has started to cool down; how can that be?

Although some researchers are furiously claiming that the sudden changes in climate that have occurred in the present century are linked to global warming, scientists are actually arguing about whether CO2 is actually tending to increase. If that is true, then why are some of the scenarios that we are seeing so far not consistent with that? In any case, both theories have become current issues and, as it turns out, threats to ocean ecosystems^[2]. 

As scientists monitor the impact of climate changes on ocean currents, marine life, and coastal areas, they have noticed something strange: the dramatic temperature changes that have been taking place recently in the Atlantic Ocean have caught the attention of oceanographers. The early spring in the Mid-Atlantic was the warmest since 1982, with a temperature of 30 degrees. However, it suddenly dropped by five degrees. Researchers are baffled, unable to find the cause of this dramatic change.

Not only is the cooling in the central equatorial Atlantic unusual, but also the speed of change

Michael McFadden, who works for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) on atmospheric science, weather forecasting, climate change and ocean research, said:

"This situation we are experiencing is very interesting. We still don't understand what is happening."

Scientists are also looking closely at the water belts between the Brazilian and East African coasts. Not only is the cooling in the central equatorial Atlantic unusual, but also the speed of change. Normally, the temperature cycle in the central equatorial Atlantic fluctuates yearly, with the warmest periods occurring in March and April. A cooling trend follows this in the summer months^[3]. 

This year, however, surface water temperatures dropped unexpectedly quickly in June and are now starting to rise again to normal levels. The reason for the sudden cooling was not clear at first. Normally, colder Atlantic waters in summer are associated with strong trade winds (winds that blow northeast all year round in the northern hemisphere and southeast in the southern hemisphere) blowing over the equator. These strong winds blow away warmer surface waters and replace them with colder deep ocean waters. However, this year the winds have been weaker in the region, which could be a sign that warmer waters are coming. There were strong winds in early May, but they were not strong enough to trigger a cooling.

Despite some discrepancies, McFadden is convinced that the likelihood that the cooling is due to man-made climate change is too high to ignore.

A busy hurricane season ahead - one that will probably leave us short of storm names

A few months ago, the world's major agencies said this hurricane season would be intense.

Since May, a strange transition from warm to cold temperatures has occurred in the equatorial Atlantic at a record speed. The emerging pattern, a kind of Atlantic Niña, is occurring just before the expected transition to a colder La Niña in the Pacific, a series of sequential events that could have a domino effect on global climate (El Niña means warming of the ocean surface or warmer-than-average ocean temperatures). If the water temperature remains below average for three months, this would be an Atlantic Niña, which has not happened since 2013. The events can affect regional weather patterns with major consequences (in Brazil in 2013, it led to flooding). 

The rapid cooling of the Atlantic Ocean, in general, has a major impact on the global climate system, causing various problems^[4].

Climate imbalances. Ocean temperatures affect global climate patterns. The cooling of the Atlantic Ocean can alter atmospheric air currents, leading to regional and global climate imbalances.

Changes in sea currents. Ocean cooling causes changes in sea currents. Important currents such as the Gulf Stream may be affected, leading to a cooler climate in Europe and changes in weather patterns in other regions.

Reduction in global temperature. Ocean cooling is predicted to reduce global temperatures. This will be particularly pronounced in cold-climate regions, affecting agriculture, energy consumption, and the ecosystem.

Weather and climate events. Cooling oceans may change the frequency and severity of hurricanes and other severe weather events.

One thing is clear: this unprecedented change raises environmental concerns by affecting the weather. Temperature changes are also associated with devastating environmental impacts, including global coral bleaching, which has stressed more than 99% of tropical reefs in the Atlantic. "Bleaching' occurs when conditions change, displacing the algae that live in corals. This causes corals to turn bone-white, affecting biodiversity and reducing reefs' ability to mitigate the effects of coastal storms and reduce flooding.