We present new datasets that are useful for exploring extreme ocean temperature events in Australian coastal waters. These datasets span multiple decades, starting from the 1940s and 1950s, and include observations from the surface to the bottom at four coastal sites. The datasets provide valuable insights into the intensity, frequency and timing of extreme warm and cold temperature events and include event characteristics such as duration, onset and decline rates and their categorisation.

We estimate subsurface linear and non-linear temperature trends at five coastal sites adjacent to the East Australian Current (EAC). We see accelerating trends at both 34.1 and 42.6 °S and place our results in the context of previously reported trends, highlighting that magnitudes are depth-dependent and vary across latitude. Our results indicate the important role of regional dynamics and show the necessity of subsurface data for the improved understanding of regional climate change impacts.

We studied the long-term mean flow through the Marsdiep tidal inlet in the Dutch Wadden Sea. We found that this flow, which is important for sediment, salt and nutrient balances, is reversing from net outflow to inflow. We hypothesise changes in tides in the North Sea caused this, due to increased stratification in response to global warming. Hence, we expect permanent inflow conditions within 1 decade, with potential effects on the sediment balance and the ecosystem of this World Heritage Site.

The Marine Virtual Laboratory (MARVL) is designed to help ocean modellers hit the ground running. Usually, setting up an ocean model involves a handful of technical steps that time and effort. MARVL provides a user-friendly interface that allows users to choose what options they want for their model, including the region, time period, and input data sets. The user then hits "go", and MARVL does the rest – delivering a "take-away bundle" that contains all the files needed to run the model.

The water properties of the coastal ocean such as temperature, salt, oxygen, or chlorophyll content vary spatially, and estimates need to be made regarding the scales of variability. Here, we use statistical techniques to determine the spatial variability of ocean properties from high-resolution measurements by gliders. We show that biological activity is patchy compared to the distribution of physical characteristics, and that the size and shape of this is determined by coastal ocean processes.