The World Meteorological Organization announced on Thursday that the El Niño weather phenomenon is expected to strengthen further into 2027, potentially becoming the most powerful on record. Secretary-General Celeste Saulo stated that if the current trend continues, it could surpass any previous El Niño events monitored over the past four decades.
The organization’s forecasts indicate a nearly 100% chance of El Niño persisting through February 2027 due to exceptionally warm Pacific Ocean temperatures. This level of certainty is unprecedented, according to the WMO. A significant El Niño event can lead to notable shifts in global rainfall and temperature patterns, as well as the intensification of extreme weather events like typhoons.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasized the remarkable growth of this El Niño event, stating that the planet is entering uncharted territory with rising temperatures. El Niño occurs every two to seven years, lasting up to a year, and results from the warming of sea surface temperatures in the eastern Pacific caused by weakened trade winds.
The current El Niño has already impacted tropical regions, contributing to a severe food crisis in Central America’s Dry Corridor. The WMO anticipates the peak of this El Niño by the end of the year, with effects extending into 2027 and leaving a legacy of elevated global temperatures. Secretary-General Saulo underscored the WMO’s commitment to enhancing preparedness and early warning systems in response to this event.
The organization is collaborating with various UN agencies and humanitarian partners to provide crucial climate intelligence for disaster management and climate-sensitive sectors such as agriculture, health, energy, and water resources. By strengthening these efforts, the WMO aims to support resilience against the potential impacts of the intensifying El Niño phenomenon.