Great Barrier Reef could face another mass bleaching by end of January, forecast says

Corals across large parts of the Great Barrier Reef could be hit by mass bleaching for the fourth time in just seven years by the end of January, according to a forecast from a United States government agency.

Reef scientists are hoping that favourable weather, including cloud cover and rain or a cyclone, could yet cool corals and stave off the threat.

Forecasting from the Bureau of Meteorology also shows heat building over the world-heritage-listed reef in January.

The Bureau of Meteorology says there is only a slight chance of more than the average number of cyclones this current season.

Coral bleaching is a stress reaction from excess heat. The process sees corals separate from a special algae that gives them their colour and much of their nutrients.

Corals can recover from less severe bleaching, but studies suggest those that do survive are weakened.

Although 2020 was the most widespread bleaching on record, Wachenfeld said the heat levels were not as intense as previous events and so with low levels of coral mortality, the reef had been given several years to recover.