Archive · 22 Aug 2026
Powerful El Niño Could Make 2027 Hottest Year
El Niño is a large weather pattern that begins in the Pacific Ocean.
A strong El Niño is now developing.
Scientists at the UK Met Office say it could be unusually powerful.
They also say that, together with human-caused climate change, it could help make 2027 the hottest year ever recorded.
India’s monsoon has brought less rain than usual in 2026.
El Niño may be part of the reason, but other factors also affect India’s rainfall.
Atlantic hurricanes have been less active, while the UK and north-west Europe may have a wetter, stormier autumn.
Scientists say the event is unusually intense, but forecasts can still change.
The developing Pacific El Niño could become the strongest in living memory, according to the UK Met Office.
The Met Office says El Niño combined with human-driven climate change could make 2027 the hottest year recorded.
India’s 2026 southwest monsoon is below average, though El Niño is only one factor affecting rainfall.
Atlantic hurricane activity has been subdued as the phenomenon influences weather patterns worldwide.
The UK and north-west Europe could experience a wetter and stormier autumn.
- Who
- The UK Met Office, including long-range forecasting chief Prof Adam Scaife, is assessing the developing El Niño.
- What
- A potentially exceptionally strong El Niño could influence global weather and contribute to 2027 becoming the hottest year recorded.
- When
- The phenomenon is developing now; its possible effects include the 2026 monsoon and autumn weather, with 2027 potentially becoming the hottest year.
- Where
- The El Niño is developing over the Pacific and is affecting or expected to affect India, the Atlantic, the UK and north-west Europe.
- Why
- El Niño is influencing worldwide weather patterns, and its effects could combine with human-driven climate change.
- Phenomenon
- El Niño developing over the Pacific
- Forecast intensity
- The UK Met Office says it could become the strongest in living memory
- Potential temperature record
- 2027 could become the hottest year ever recorded
- India monsoon
- The 2026 southwest monsoon is running below normal
- Rainfall caveat
- El Niño is only one of several factors influencing India’s rainfall
- Atlantic activity
- Hurricane activity has been subdued
- European outlook
- The UK and parts of north-west Europe could have a wetter, stormier autumn