MADRID, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- The average temperatures of the sea waters around Spain are between 0.5 and 2 degrees Celsius higher than the norm for October, Spanish Meteorological Agency (AEMET) said on Monday.
AEMET spokesman Ruben Del Campo explained that the main reason for the high water temperatures is the heat from the sun during a hot summer and a warm and dry start to the autumn.
The fact that there has been little wind or rain means that calm seas have not moved, allowing the upper levels of the water to remain warm as they have not mixed with the cooler water at greater depths as usually happens.
The AEMET's study shows that the water temperatures in the Cantabrian sea off the north coast of Spain are between 18-20 degrees centigrade, around 0.5 to 1.5 percent higher than the average for the time of year.
Meanwhile the temperatures in the Mediterranean stand at 22 to 24 degrees centigrade, once again 0.5 to 1.5 degrees above the average, although 2 degrees higher than usual around the southeastern coast of Spain.
The southwestern coast of Spain is also experiencing warmer than average sea temperatures with the Atlantic Ocean 0.5 to 1.5 degrees warmer than average although the Atlantic is colder than usual around the northwestern of Spain, where its waters temperatures are between 14 and 18 degrees, below the average for the time of year.
