The mesmerising patterns of our changing climate have been revealed in artistic computer simulations used to analyse global warming . The paint-like swirls depict global water-surface temperatures around the world , with the surface texture driven by the rotation of the Earth . Using data from various climate models , trapped regions of warmer water , shown in red , are seen adjacent to the Gulf Stream off the eastern coast of the U.S . The paint-like swirls of this visualisation depict global water-surface temperatures . Cool temperatures are shown by blues and warmer temperatures by reds . Trapped regions of warmer water adjacent to the Gulf Stream off the eastern coast of the U.S. indicate the model ’ s capability to simulate eddy transport of heat within the ocean , a key component necessary to accurately simulate global climate change . The model , by the Los Alamos National Laboratory , is used to simulate eddy transportation of heat within the ocean , a key component necessary to accurately simulate climate change . These are circular movements of water , counter to a main current , causing a small whirlpool . ‘ Computer models of the global ocean must capture these eddies and their impact on ocean circulation in order to accurately represent the climate system and future climate change , ’ LANL says . ‘ This is difficult because the small size ( 10–100 km ) of eddies requires high spatial resolution and substantial computing power ’ . Global ocean surface kinetic - or movement - energy is pictured here . The maximum kinetic energy shown by white with minimum values in black . Color is on a log scale . Observe the prominent jet stream off the eastern coast of the U.S. with adjacent eddy rings . The world needs to prepare itself for a rapid increase in the speed of climate change , scientists have warned . US researchers claim that the fast onset of global warming is set to alter the way people live , even over short time scales . This is according to new evidence which suggests the rate at which temperatures are rising in the northern hemisphere could be 0.25°C per decade by 2020 - a level not seen for at least 1,000 years . The analysis was based on a combination of data from more than two dozen climate simulation models from around the world . Scientists recently announced that sea surface water temperatures have been warmer than average in the western and central Pacific Ocean and have started to alter wind patterns . The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration now predicts that there is now a 50 to 60 per cent chance El Niño will continue through the summer . However , they say that the El Niño conditions are currently 'extremely weak ' and come at a time of the year when the influence of El Niño on weather patterns usually declines . This means that while El Niño conditions normally brings wetter weather to the northern hemisphere in the summer , it is unlikely to be bring substantially more rainfall than this spring . In another image the ocean surface kinetic energy – or movement energy – is revealed with maximum kinetic energy in white with minimum values in black . The illustration shows the prominent jet stream off the eastern coast of the U.S. with adjacent eddy rings . When winds blow across the ocean , kinetic energy is transferred from the wind to water as a result of the friction between the wind and the sea surface . Sunlight on the oceans also adds thermal energy to the surface layer , and currents carry the thermal energy to other regions of the world .
In this mesmerising image , the paint - like swirls depict global sea - surface temperatures around the world . Another image depicts movement - or kinetic energy - in the ocean or tidal stream off the eastern coast . Scientists recently announced that sea surface temperatures have been warmer than average in the Pacific .