Strong El Niño could bring extreme weather in 2027: “Exceptional”

 

Mariela Quintana Melin

Published 08.37Updated 10.06

El Niño is underway.

Now the World Meteorological Organization, WMO, is warning that this year's weather phenomenon is extra intense.

- This exceptional El Niño requires exceptional preparations and efforts, says WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo.

Quick version

• The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) is warning of an exceptionally intense El Niño phenomenon that is expected to affect the climate until 2027.
• Sea surface temperatures in the tropical Pacific Ocean and extreme weather conditions are expected to worsen consequences such as droughts and floods.
• UN and WMO leaders emphasize that exceptional preparations and efforts are needed to manage the increased risks and protect people.

The El Niño weather phenomenon is expected to become extremely strong in the coming months, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) writes in its new analysis.

The forecast predicts that El Niño will last until February 2027 with a “high probability of almost 100 percent”. The peak is expected towards the end of the year, but will affect the climate well into 2027. Exceptionally warm sea conditions in the tropical Pacific Ocean are amplifying the weather phenomenon this year.

“The science leaves no room for doubt: the planet is in uncharted waters, and these waters are warming. Sea surface temperatures are rising, temperatures continue to climb, and the world is in the danger zone for extreme weather,” says UN Secretary-General António Guterres.

Already having consequences

According to WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo, this year’s El Niño has already had an impact on the climate.

“We are already seeing disruption and devastation from drought and flooding, and we expect the impacts to increase as El Niño intensifies,” she said.

The risk that the coming months will bring both drought and extreme heat and flooding is imminent, the WMO said.

“The race is now between increasing risks and our commitment to climate action and protecting people. We must win that race,” continued António Guterres.