Why did ocean heat peak in August instead of April?

Global ocean heat typically peaks in March-April because Southern Hemisphere, dominated by oceans, reaches summer then. But on August 22, 2026, sea-surface temperatures between 60°S and 60°N reached a record 21.1°C, surpassing March 2024's high. Scientists attribute this to long-term warming combined with strengthening El Niño, potentially weakening oceans' cooling and carbon-absorption capacity.