Graphic: NIWAAnother marine heatwave is forming around parts of New Zealand after sea surface temperatures (SSTs) warmed considerably last month, Niwa forecasters say. In this region, marine heatwave conditions were affecting Northland and northern Auckland’s coastal waters, and extend west into the Tasman Sea. A marine heatwave is an extended period of extremely warm ocean temperatures that can extend up to thousands of kilometres. We're not even at the peak of our sea surface temperatures which typically occur over January and February.’’He said a marine heatwave this summer would mark the third in four years. Marine heatwave conditions persisted in the Tasman until March.

Source: Otago Daily Times November 17, 2020 20:48 UTC