New England Ocean Warming Slows, but Temperatures Remain High

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The waters off New England continue to experience elevated temperatures, but the rate of warming has slowed compared to previous years, according to scientists studying the Atlantic Ocean near Maine.  

 

The Gulf of Maine, which borders three New England states and Canada, has been a focal point for climate change research due to its rapid warming—nearly three times faster than the global ocean average. This warming trend has significant implications for the region’s marine ecosystem, particularly for commercially valuable seafood species such as the American lobster.  

 

According to a recent report from the Gulf of Maine Research Institute in Portland, the average sea surface temperature in the gulf in 2024 was 51.5 degrees Fahrenheit (10.8 degrees Celsius). This was 0.88 F (0.49 C) above the long-term average from 1991 to 2020. While 2024 ranked as the 12th warmest year on record, it marked a decline from the fifth warmest year recorded in 2023. The past two years also saw back-to-back record-breaking temperatures, making this the third consecutive year of slight cooling.  

 

“The conditions seen in the Gulf of Maine were a departure from the record-setting temperatures seen elsewhere in the North Atlantic and across the world’s oceans,” the report stated.  

 

Despite this temporary slowdown, the overall trend remains concerning. The gulf’s average annual sea surface temperature has been rising at a rate of 0.84 degrees Fahrenheit per decade from 1982 to 2024—far exceeding the pace of global ocean warming.  

 

This warming has already begun to impact marine life, with scientists linking the decline in baby lobsters in the region to rising temperatures. Other vulnerable species, including Atlantic puffins and North Atlantic right whales, also depend on the gulf’s delicate ecosystem, which is facing increasing stress.  

 

The Gulf of Maine Research Institute attributes the rapid warming to several key factors. One major cause is the strengthening of the Gulf Stream, which carries warmer waters northward. At the same time, the weakening of the cold Labrador Current has reduced its ability to act as a protective barrier against this influx of warm water.  

 

The report also noted significant seasonal variations in 2024. While winter months saw below-average temperatures, June was recorded as the second warmest on record. Warmer-than-average sea surface temperatures persisted through summer and fall, whereas colder-than-average temperatures were observed during the winter months at both the start and end of the year.  

 

Although the slight cooling in 2024 offers a momentary shift in the trend, scientists caution that the long-term trajectory remains worrisome. The Gulf of Maine continues to serve as a critical indicator of climate change’s impact on ocean ecosystems, with potential long-term consequences for marine life and the seafood industry that relies on it.

 

Based on a report by AP  2025-03-01