The UK Met Office has warned that the developing El Niño event in the Pacific Ocean is likely to be the strongest in living memory. Current sea surface temperatures in the region are already more than 2C above average, with forecasts suggesting they could exceed 3C later this year. Experts describe the situation as an unprecedented event that could potentially surpass any recorded since the 19th century.
This natural climate phenomenon, which involves the release of significant heat from the ocean into the atmosphere, is expected to drive global temperatures to new highs. When combined with the effects of human-induced climate change, scientists state it is very likely that 2027 will become the hottest year on record. While the World Meteorological Organisation notes no definitive evidence that climate change increases the frequency of El Niño, its impacts are becoming more extreme in a warming world.
Global weather patterns are already showing signs of disruption, including suppressed monsoon rains in India and reduced hurricane activity in the Atlantic. The phenomenon also poses risks of drought, wildfires, and flooding in various regions, while the UK may face a wet and stormy autumn. Researchers emphasize that the ongoing development of this event reinforces expectations that it will set new records for intensity.
