Marine heatwave recorded in Tasman Sea breaks records, prompts joint climate report

The Tasman Sea experienced a 'marine heatwave' over summer that pushed the surface temperature to a record high, climate scientists say. Following a particularly hot summer on both sides of the Tasman and in between, the Bureau of Meteorology and New Zealand's National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research teamed up to release a 'special climate statement'. New Zealand's summer was the hottest ever recorded, while Tasmania had its hottest November-January on record. 'Tasmania had its warmest November on record and its second-warmest December and second-warmest January,' senior BOM climatologist Dr Blair Trewin said.