Stevenard et al. present the first compilation of SST records covering the period 350 to 300 ka, encompassing Termination IV and the subsequent interglacial (Marine isotope stage, MIS, 9e). They show that surface temperatures rose by ~5.7 °C during Termination IV, comparable to the estimated warming of Terminations I and II. Their results further suggest that globally averaged SST during MIS9e were similar to the pre-industrial. This reflects a highly spatially heterogeneous interglacial optimum, likely influenced by variations in the strength of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation.