Gulf of Maine facing another "ocean heat wave"

This past fall, I wrote a six-part series for the Portland Press Herald on how climate change threatens the Gulf of Maine, with special reference to the so-called "ocean heat wave" of 3012-13, when water temperatures spiked, causing all manner of ecological disruptions. Green crabs exploded, destroying clam flats and eel grass beds. Blue crabs, squid, and other Mid-Atlantic species started invading, while puffin chicks starved and right whales failed to find food.

Kind of a mess, and a sneak preview of what conditions will be like all the time by mid-century. Or maybe this summer as well.

As I reported in Monday's Press Herald, the warmest winter on record has the Gulf on track for a repeat of 2012.