Satellite observations from 1985–2006 indicate that in the last 2 decades the temperature in the upper layer of the Mediterranean Sea has been increasing at an average (±SD) rate of 0.03 ± 0.008°C yr–1 for the western basin and 0.05 ± 0.009°C yr–1 for the eastern basin. The increases in temperature are not constant throughout the year but occur primarily during May, June and July. Maximum incre...