The ongoing El Nino phenomenon in the tropical Pacific Ocean could reach an extraordinary level of intensity, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has warned in its latest seasonal climate outlook.
The global weather agency said sea surface temperatures in the tropical Pacific could climb to 3.8 degrees Celsius above the average between November 2026 and January 2027, potentially making the event unprecedented in strength.
El Nino is a climate pattern marked by warmer-than-normal sea surface temperatures in parts of the tropical Pacific. It can alter weather conditions worldwide, influencing rainfall distribution, temperature patterns and the occurrence of extreme weather events.
The WMO generally identifies El Nino conditions when sea surface temperatures in the relevant Pacific region are at least 0.5 degrees Celsius above average, alongside changes in atmospheric conditions.
The forecast highlights the possibility of significant shifts in global weather patterns during the coming months, although the effects are likely to vary across regions.
