News Hub, New Zealand July 12, 2018
The water temperature in the Tasman Sea is well above normal – a whopping 6degC more than average for the start of December.
The increase has been driven by a La Nina climate system, and scientists say a continued warming of our ocean could permanently damage our fisheries and lead to tropical cyclones.
NIWA climate scientist Nava Fedaeff says…
“Warm seas can act like fuel,” she says. “If we do get a tropical storm this could add more moisture to the system.”