Environmental Trends 2007

Climate Change

Coastal Sea Surface Temperature

Over the past 50 years, the ocean has become warmer along the British Columbia coast.

Red bars show the change in sea-surface temperature since 1950.

Changes in ocean temperature affect coastal weather and climate, as well as the life cycles of marine organisms and the productivity of marine ecosystems.

Records for the B.C. coast show:

• There has been a significant increase in average sea-surface temperature at five of nine sampling stations along the coast.

• The largest 50-year increase was of 0.9°C, recorded at Langara Island (northwest Queen Charlotte Islands).

• Data from seven coast inlets also show a deep-water warming trend of 0.5–1.0°C over the past 50 years (not shown on map).

For detailed information, including graph data, see In-Depth Report [pdf].

Next: Precipitation Changes in British Columbia >>