WMO warns El Niño could cause severe global weather
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has warned that a strong El Niño event is developing in the Pacific Ocean and is expected to become very intense in the coming months. The WMO said rising sea temperatures in the Pacific could significantly alter global weather patterns, increasing the risk of floods, droughts, and extreme heat.
The WMO added that land temperatures are likely to be above average, with forecasts indicating El Niño will persist until February 2027. This is the first time the WMO has clearly stated that this El Niño event will be exceptionally strong. Professor Adam Scaife from the UK Met Office said this could be the largest El Niño on record, and 2027 is likely to be the hottest year in history.
The WMO also reported that Pacific sea surface temperatures have reached very high levels, with surface waters more than 2.6°C above normal and subsurface temperatures exceeding 8°C. The agency has launched a global warning and preparedness campaign in cooperation with national and United Nations agencies to mitigate the impact of severe weather on agriculture, water supplies, health, and energy.
