New Record Ocean Temperatures and Related Climate Indicators in 2023

Abstract The global physical and biogeochemical environment has been substantially altered in response to increased atmospheric greenhouse gases from human activities. In 2023, the sea surface temperature (SST) and upper 2000 m ocean heat content (OHC) reached record highs. The 0–2000 m OHC in 2023 exceeded that of 2022 by 15 ± 10 ZJ (1 Zetta Joules = 10 21 Joules) (updated IAP/CAS data); 9 ± 5 ZJ (NCEI/NOAA data). The Tropical Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea, and southern oceans recorded their highest OHC observed since the 1950s. Associated with the onset of a strong El Niño, the global SST reached its record high in 2023 with an annual mean of ∼0.23°C higher than 2022 and an astounding > 0.3°C…

• NS
  National Science Foundation

  Awards: 1947282, IA 1947282
• UD
  U.S. Department of Energy

  Award: IA 1947282
• NA
  National Aeronautics and Space Administration

  Awards: 80NSSC21K1191, 80NSSC22K0046, 80NSSC17K0565
• NN
  National Natural Science Foundation of China

  Awards: NORC2022-303, NORC2022-10, 42261134536, 42076202, 42122046, 42149910
• CA
  Chinese Academy of Sciences

  Award: NORC2022-303
• NS
  Nuclear Safety and Security Commission
• YI
  Youth Innovation Promotion Association of the Chinese Academy of Sciences
• NO
  National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

  Award: NA19NES4320002
• OR
  Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education
• NO
  Nutrition Obesity Research Center, University of North Carolina
• EU
  EarthLab, University of Washington
• YI
  Youth Innovation Promotion Association
• NC
  National Centers for Environmental Information

  Award: NA19NES4320002