World Meteorological Organization: current El Nino could be strongest in four decades of monitoring
The current El Nino event could be unprecedented in strength and exceed the monitoring ranges used over the past four decades, according to World Meteorological Organization Secretary-General Celeste Saulo.
The WMO presented its latest Global Seasonal Climate Update at a briefing in Geneva.
Saulo said the current El Nino is expected to peak toward the end of 2026, while its impacts are likely to persist well beyond that point.
According to the latest WMO outlook, sea surface temperatures in the tropical Pacific, the core region of El Nino, could rise as much as 3.8 degrees Celsius above average between November 2026 and January 2027.
The organization warned that the strengthening El Nino could increase the risk of extreme weather in different parts of the world. Some areas of eastern Africa could face heavier rainfall and flooding, while southern Africa may experience drought.
Southeast Asia is expected to see higher temperatures and below-normal rainfall. Parts of the Americas could experience either unusually heavy rainfall or drought conditions.
The WMO called on countries to strengthen early-warning systems and improve disaster preparedness.
According to CCTV+, the impacts of the current El Nino are expected to continue even after the event reaches its peak toward the end of 2026.
