The World Meteorological Organization stated on Thursday that the El Niño weather phenomenon is expected to strengthen further until 2027, possibly becoming the most intense event ever recorded. Secretary-General Celeste Saulo mentioned in a Geneva press conference that if the current trend continues, it could surpass any previous monitored occurrences over the past four decades.
The UN weather agency indicated a nearly 100% likelihood of El Niño persisting through February 2027 due to exceptionally warm Pacific Ocean temperatures. This forecast certainty is unprecedented, according to the WMO. A robust El Niño can significantly alter global rainfall and temperature patterns, leading to extreme weather events such as typhoons.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasized the unprecedented scale of the current El Niño event, expressing concerns about the planet entering uncharted territory with rising temperatures. El Niño, characterized by periodic warming of sea surface temperatures in the eastern Pacific caused by weakened trade winds, recurs naturally every two to seven years, lasting up to 12 months and impacting weather patterns worldwide.
The ongoing El Niño has already affected agricultural regions, triggering a severe food crisis in Central America’s Dry Corridor. The WMO expects the phenomenon to peak by the end of this year, with lingering effects and elevated global temperatures anticipated for 2027. In response, the WMO is enhancing preparedness and early warning measures to mitigate potential impacts.
Secretary-General Saulo underlined the organization’s commitment to collaborating with UN partners and humanitarian agencies to provide essential climate intelligence for disaster management and climate-sensitive sectors like agriculture, health, energy, and water resources. The WMO aims to support proactive measures to address the potential consequences of the intensifying El Niño event.