The World Meteorological Organization has warned that a new phase of the natural El Niño weather pattern could begin within weeks, potentially becoming one of the strongest on record. This so-called 'super' El Niño is expected to boost global temperatures, adding to the strain of climate change.
Forecasts from national weather agencies suggest the event could equal or surpass past peaks, with sea surface temperatures in the central Pacific already rising. The UK Met Office's Prof Adam Scaife said, 'We're very confident that there's a big event coming. It may even be a record event.'
The El Niño phenomenon occurs when wind patterns shift, allowing warm water to spread across the tropical Pacific. A huge wave of unusually warm water, more than 6°C above average in places, has been detected deep below the ocean surface, often a precursor to stronger surface warming.
UN Secretary General António Guterres warned, 'El Niño conditions will pour fuel on the fire of a warming world. Impacts will hit even harder, travel even farther, and cross borders with devastating speed.' Past strong El Niños have been linked to droughts, wildfires, flooding, and spikes in food prices globally.
While El Niño's influence on UK weather is less direct, it can increase the chances of a mild start and cold end to winters. However, with the planet already warmer due to climate change, even a moderate El Niño could have extreme consequences.
