According to the Portuguese Institute for the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) seawater temperatures have risen an average by two degrees Celsius when compared to previous years.

The IPMA has stated that changes in atmospheric pressure west of the Iberian Peninsula have been influencing wind circulation. This, in turn, has resulted in deeper and colder ocean waters moving to the surface.

The monitoring of water temperatures is possible due to a network of multi-parametric buoys made available by the Hydrographical Institute.