By Stephen Beech

An "unprecedented" marine heatwave in seas around the UK could become an annual occurrence, according to new research.

Record-breaking surface temperatures were recorded in the North Sea and Celtic Sea in June 2023, reaching 2.9° Celsius above the monthly average for 16 days.

Scientists say the phenomenon was primarily driven by high-pressure weather systems that brought high solar radiation, weak winds, and warm air.

But while unprecedented since observations began , the new study warns that rapid climate change means there is now around a 10% chance of a marine heatwave of the same scale occurring every year.

The June 2023 marine heatwave significantly disrupted phytoplankton blooms, according to the research conducted by the University of Exeter , the Met Of

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