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Odd Ocean 'Cold Blob' Is a Warning Sign

Newser • June 15, 2026 • science

Key Points:

A persistent "cold blob" of below-normal sea surface temperatures east of Newfoundland has remained for about a year, contrasting with the general warming of global oceans.
This cold patch overlaps with a crucial area of the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC), a deep-ocean conveyor belt that transports warm water north and influences climate across the Northern Hemisphere.
Scientists warn that a significant weakening or collapse of the AMOC could lead to regional cooling in the Northern Hemisphere, rising sea levels, altered seasonal patterns, droughts in Africa, and harsher winters in Europe.
Recent studies indicate the cold blob signals a weakening AMOC, reducing heat transfer from the tropics, though the UN IPCC states an abrupt AMOC failure before 2100 is unlikely.