El Nino 2026/27: SoCal Sea Surface Temperatures

Week ending Aug 1, 2026 · David Levin

Hot week in the water. Local buoys closed Saturday night around 76°F, about four to five degrees warmer than early August usually runs, and every buoy in the set finished above its normal. Spring suit optional. Midsummer water actually living up to the hype.

SCRIPPS led the pack near 77°. Capistrano Nearshore was the furthest above the historical mark, nearly 10° hotter than what this day typically feels like. And yes, Capistrano Nearshore, Red Beach Nearshore, and Green Beach Offshore all hit all-time highs this week. (Though take that with a grain of salt, as their data only goes back to 2025, 2022, and 2023, respectively.)

Put the week against the full buoy record (back to 2004) and it lands in rare company: roughly the top 1% of all 7-day stretches, and the hottest run like this since August 2020. 2018 still owns the throne for truly absurd midsummer heat, but this week was right up there with the other standout years. If you like bathtub water, your time is now. Get it while it's hot. We'll be back next Saturday night with the next roundup.