What are warmer-than-average sea surface temperatures?

Warmer-than-average sea surface temperatures are like when your bathtub water is a bit hotter than it usually is on a cold morning.

Imagine you have a big tub that holds all the ocean’s water, but instead of filling it with water, we just look at its temperature. Most of the time, this tub has a certain temperature, say 70°F (21°C). But sometimes, especially during summer or when there's a special weather pattern, the water gets a little warmer, maybe up to 75°F (24°C). That’s what we call warmer-than-average sea surface temperatures.

Think of the ocean like a giant swimming pool. When the water is warmer, it can affect fish, whales, and even the weather on land. It's like when your bathwater is warm, you're more comfortable, but if it's too hot, you might jump out!

Sometimes, these warm waters help create bigger waves or stronger storms, just like how a warm bath can make you feel sleepy or even cause you to slip if it's too hot!