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It was as warm as in 2025 North Sea never since measurements began in 1969. The average water temperature peaked at 11.6 degrees Celsius. This was announced by the Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH). The authority cites this as the main reason Climate change.
Compared to the long-term average from 1997 to 2021, the temperature was 0.9 degrees higher. Above-average values were measured in all months; June and December were particularly warm, when highs were reached. The warming was most noticeable in the northern and central parts of the North Sea and in the transition to the Baltic Sea.
The record values were not just limited to the surface. Even in the deeper layers of water, more heat was stored than ever before. According to the BSH, this means the entire North Sea became noticeably warmer.
Second warmest year for the Baltic Sea
The Baltic Sea also experienced an exceptionally warm year in 2025. With one average surface temperature At 9.7 degrees Celsius, it was the second warmest year since measurements began in 1990. Only 2020 was even warmer. Particularly high temperatures were recorded in the southwestern Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Finland.
In addition, so-called marine heat waves increased. These are phases in which the sea warms up significantly more than usual over several days, weeks or even months. While the water temperature normally fluctuates throughout the year, during such events it remains unusually high.
In the Kiel Fjord, the BSH recorded a heat wave lasting 55 days in spring, the longest since observations began. Such extreme heat phases are putting increasing pressure on creatures in the sea, the authority said.
According to BSH, long-term evaluations show continued warming of the North and Baltic Seas, with the Baltic Sea warming more quickly. Climate simulations by the BSH and the Danish Meteorological Institute also say something else clearly Temperature increase ahead if greenhouse gas emissions do not fall sharply.
Rising sea levels as a result of climate change
With warming, sea levels are also rising. Level measurements have shown an increase of more than 25 centimeters in Cuxhaven in Lower Saxony and almost 20 centimeters in Warnemünde in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania since 1900. According to BSH, this could result in storm surges reaching higher water levels in the future.
“Even if we immediately stop emitting greenhouse gases worldwide, sea levels will probably continue to rise for centuries,” said BSH President Helge Heegewaldt. It is therefore important to “do more for climate protection,” said Heegewald. This will allow time to be gained to better protect the coasts and the local population.
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