Mediterranean Sea Experiences Unusual Cooling Due to Upwelling
The Mediterranean Sea is cooling due to strong winds causing upwelling, contrasting with earlier record highs.
Key Points
- • Current Mediterranean water temperatures are cooler than usual due to strong winds.
- • The mistral and tramontane winds are causing an upwelling effect.
- • Temperatures have dropped to 17-19°C from earlier highs of 29°C.
- • Beach conditions are uncomfortable due to high winds.
This week, the Mediterranean Sea is witnessing an atypical cooling trend attributed to strong winds known as the mistral and tramontane, which are causing a phenomenon called upwelling. This process displaces warmer surface waters, allowing colder waters from the depths to rise, leading to a significant drop in temperatures along the coastline from Sète to Toulon.
The water temperatures have decreased dramatically, shifting from a range of 22°C to 24°C last week to much cooler levels of 17°C to 19°C. This change is particularly striking given that earlier in July, these waters reached unprecedented highs, with temperatures hitting 29°C off the coast of Marseille and 27°C near Agde.
Current strong winds, which can reach speeds up to 80 km/h, are not only affecting water temperatures but also creating uncomfortable beach conditions. The high winds stir up sand, making the beach experience less enjoyable for vacationers. Meanwhile, the Côte d'Azur maintains a more favorable environment for beachgoers, with water temperatures around 25°C due to less impact from the upwelling effect.