Record sea-surface temperatures in much of the Great Barrier Reef region have intensified the risks that coral bleaching already underway could develop into another mass bleaching event.

The Bureau of Meteorology briefed the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) and reef scientists on Thursday of the record February heat and the likelihood that the well-above average sea temperatures will linger well into March.

The Bureau's warning follows an updated alert earlier this week from the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) that also predicted a high chance of bleaching off eastern Australia and much of the tropics in coming months.

Terry Hughes, head of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, said the weather warnings were sufficiently serious for him to order another round of aerial surveys to begin from March 16.