Record high ocean temperatures off southern California raise fears of prolonged marine heatwave

Researchers warn the high-pressure conditions could disrupt marine life and ecosystems if it continues

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For more than a century, shoreline stations operated by the Scripps Institution of Oceanography have measured water temperatures along the California coast. This year, they are flashing a warning sign.

Over the last three months, several stations have repeatedly posted record-breaking daily high temperatures – with the La Jolla station registering temperatures a full 10F above historical average at one point last month.