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UN Warns El Niño Could Peak Among Strongest on Record
El Niño is a natural change in the Pacific Ocean that can affect weather around the world.
The United Nations weather agency says this El Niño is getting stronger.
It expects the event to reach its peak in December.
The agency says it could be one of the strongest since records began in 1950.
Warmer ocean water can change winds and rainfall.
That may bring hotter weather and increase the chance of droughts or floods in different places.
The warming adds to the effects of human-caused climate change.
In Central America, drought is already hurting animals and crops.
The WMO expects El Niño conditions to continue through February 2027.
The World Meteorological Organization says El Niño is strengthening and is forecast to peak in December.
The event could be among the strongest since at least 1950 and is likely to persist through February 2027.
Pacific sea-surface temperature anomalies are forecast to reach about 3.7°C above normal in October-November-December 2026.
The WMO expects higher temperatures across much of the globe and rainfall shifts that could raise drought and flood risks.
The agency says the event compounds human-caused climate change; drought in Central America is already harming animals and crops.
- Who
- The World Meteorological Organization, led by chief Celeste Saulo, issued the forecast.
- What
- El Niño is intensifying and is forecast to peak in December, potentially ranking among the strongest since at least 1950.
- Where
- The event is centered in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific and is expected to affect weather worldwide.
- When
- The forecast peak is in December; the WMO expects the event to persist through February 2027.
- Why
- El Niño is warming, with rising sea-surface temperatures expected to alter global temperatures and rainfall patterns.
Key facts
- Forecast peak
- December
- Expected persistence
- Through February 2027, with near-100 percent likelihood according to the WMO
- Forecast sea-surface temperature anomaly
- Approximately 3.7°C above normal for October-November-December 2026
- Previous cited record
- 2.6°C above normal in 2015-2016
- Forecast basis
- Consensus across 13 national and international meteorological centres
- Reported impact
- Drought in Central America is killing animals and damaging crops
Quotes
World Meteorological Organization
United Nations weather and climate agency
“El Nino will continue to intensify ahead of its forecast peak in December”
deccanchronicle.com
“El Nino is firmly established and strengthening rapidly”
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
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