Mysterious ‘warm blob’ re-emerges in Pacific Ocean, long-term impacts expected

NEW YORK (WPIX) — A massive “warm blob” has resurfaced in the Pacific Ocean — and it could shape the coming winter across the U.S.

A record-breaking marine heat wave

A major warm water anomaly has developed over the summer south of Alaska, sparking concerns for marine life and continental weather patterns.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the North Pacific sea surface temperature hit 20°C (68°F) in August, which would put it as the highest on record. For perspective, the first time it reached 19°C was 11 years ago, with records dating back to 1854.

This event marks the fourth-largest marine heat wave since 1982, spanning a vast region from north of Hawaii to the coasts of California and Alaska.

Danger for the marine ecosystem

The temperature spike is already disrupting marine life. Warmer waters can:

• Alter feeding patterns of marine animals
• Trigger harmful algae blooms
• Stress ecosystems along the California, Washington and Oregon coasts

The University of Washington study recently published in the journal Science suggested that 4 million common murres died following unusually warm conditions in the northeastern Pacific Ocean between 2014 and 2016 when similar abnormal water temperatures appeared in this region.

These impacts may ripple through commercial fisheries, local economies, and coastal biodiversity in the coming months and years ahead.

Weather pattern shift: What it means for winter

From a meteorological view, this setup can be significant.

The warm anomaly tends to build high-pressure ridges over the Pacific Northwest, which pushes the jet stream eastward, often unleashing colder Arctic air into the eastern U.S..

This developing pattern closely mirrors what happened in the summer, fall and winter of 2013–2014, which featured:

• A neutral-to-weak La Niña ENSO pattern
• Below-average hurricane activity in the Atlantic
• Massive cold outbreaks and snowfall across the Northeast

That year, New York City recorded 57 inches of snow, Philadelphia saw 63 inches, and the following year, Boston shattered records with 110 inches.

Is history repeating itself?

The current oceanic and atmospheric setup strongly resembles the winter of 2013–2014, raising the possibility of another brutal season for the East Coast — especially with hurricane activity already trending below normal, just like it did back then.

While forecasts will evolve, the reappearance of the Pacific “Warm Blob” is a red flag for both scientists and weather watchers alike.