By Brian K. Sullivan

(Bloomberg) –The world’s oceans were the warmest on record in April and May, a development that could mean more severe weather over the next few months and trigger a rise in sea levels.

Ocean temperatures from March to May — meteorological spring in the Northern Hemisphere — were also the highest in the 174-year record, according to the US National Centers for Environmental Information. When land and sea temperatures were combined, the world had its third-hottest May ever.