WMO Warns of Powerful El Niño as Pacific Temperatures Near Record Highs
What Happened
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) says the ongoing El Niño is intensifying rapidly and could become one of the strongest recorded since 1950. Sea-surface temperatures in the key Niño 3.4 region are forecast to average about 3.7°C above normal during October-December 2026, exceeding the previous record set in 2015-16. The agency expects El Niño to persist into early 2027, bringing unusually warm conditions across much of the world.
Key Takeaways
A stronger El Niño increases the risk of extreme weather, including heatwaves, droughts, floods and disrupted rainfall patterns. WMO says the combination of El Niño and already record-warm oceans could amplify global climate impacts in the coming months.