The El Niño weather pattern is projected to strengthen through 2027 and may become the most powerful on record, leading to increased risks of severe weather next year, according to the World Meteorological Organization. Secretary-General Celeste Saulo stated that if the current trend continues, it could surpass anything previously observed in the past four decades.
The UN weather agency indicated a high certainty of El Niño persisting until February 2027 due to exceptionally warm Pacific Ocean temperatures, which is unprecedented in their forecasting. A pronounced El Niño event can significantly alter global rainfall and temperature patterns, potentially triggering extreme weather events such as typhoons.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasized the remarkable intensification of El Niño, highlighting the unprecedented nature of the current situation. El Niño is characterized by periodic warming of sea surface temperatures in the eastern Pacific, occurring naturally every two to seven years and lasting up to 12 months, leading to intense rainfall and droughts across Latin America.
This year’s El Niño has already impacted tropical regions, causing a severe food crisis in Central America’s Dry Corridor. The WMO anticipates the peak of El Niño towards the end of this year, with lasting effects into 2027 and potential repercussions of elevated global temperatures the following year.
Saulo mentioned that the WMO is enhancing preparedness and early warning initiatives to address the forthcoming challenges. Collaborating with partners within the UN and humanitarian sectors, the organization aims to provide essential climate intelligence to support disaster management and climate-sensitive industries like agriculture, health, energy, and water resources.
