Archive · 21 Sep 2026
Powerful El Niño May Become Strongest on Record
El Niño is a natural climate pattern that starts in the tropical Pacific Ocean.
During El Niño, usual winds weaken and warm water moves toward the eastern Pacific.
This changes air movement and can affect weather far away.
Scientists say the current event could become the strongest ever measured, although its peak has not arrived.
It may continue into early 2027.
Some parts of India could become warmer and drier, affecting crops and air pollution.
Indonesia and Australia could face more wildfire danger.
Ocean ecosystems may also be disrupted because fewer nutrients rise to the surface.
Climate change did not cause El Niño, but it may make some of its extreme effects worse.
A powerful El Niño is strengthening in the tropical Pacific, with its peak still ahead.
The World Meteorological Organization says the planet may be entering a “danger zone” for extreme weather.
Forecasters expect the event to persist into early 2027, potentially bringing warmer, drier conditions to some regions.
India could face risks to winter crops and air quality, while Indonesia and Australia may see greater wildfire risks.
El Niño is natural, but climate change has raised global background temperatures and could intensify some impacts.
- Who
- Scientists, forecasters, the World Meteorological Organization, and communities in affected regions.
- What
- A strengthening El Niño may become the strongest on record and influence weather, fires, crops, air quality, and marine ecosystems.
- When
- The event is expected to peak later and persist into early 2027.
- Where
- The event begins in the tropical Pacific, with possible effects in India, Indonesia, Australia, and other regions worldwide.
- Why
- Weakened trade winds move warm Pacific water eastward, changing atmospheric circulation and weather patterns; higher global background temperatures may worsen some impacts.
- Climate pattern
- El Niño is one phase of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation, alongside La Niña.
- Current outlook
- Scientists warn the event could become the strongest on record.
- Expected duration
- Forecasts indicate it may persist into early 2027.
- India
- Some regions could experience a warmer, drier winter, with risks to the Rabi crop cycle and air quality.
- Wildfires
- El Niño has been identified as an important factor in Indonesia’s major wildfires and may increase bushfire risk in Australia.
- Marine effects
- Weaker upwelling can reduce surface nutrients, potentially affecting phytoplankton and the marine food chain.
- Climate change
- Climate change did not cause El Niño but has raised the background temperature against which it occurs.