Hurricane-Idalia-Hot-Spot-before-after_20230823-20230906_1200px.jpg

(left) In late August, before Hurricane Idalia, much of the water surrounding Florida and the Keys was experiencing departures from average temperature high enough to cause heat stress. (right) In early September, after Hurricane Idalia, many cooled below heat stress values.  These images are based on the NOAA Coral Reef Watch daily global 5km Coral Bleaching HotSpot product. Values of 1 °C or more indicate heat stress capable of causing coral bleaching, while values less than 1 °C indicate no heat stress.  NOAA Climate.gov image, based on Coral Reef Watch data.