British weather agency: Experts expect strongest El Niño in over a century

The British Met Office forecasts an "unprecedented" El Niño event this year, warning of potentially severe weather extremes globally. Meteorologist Adam Scaife of the Met Office highlighted that the expected rise in sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific could exceed three degrees Celsius. This surge is significantly higher than the 1.5-degree Celsius increase that typically triggers an El Niño warning.

Such a dramatic temperature increase in the Pacific Ocean is described as "unprecedented in modern climate records." El Niño is characterized by warming sea surface temperatures in the tropical eastern Pacific. The phenomenon is officially declared when the water temperature rises 0.5 degrees Celsius above the long-term average.

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The "unprecedented" increase in sea surface temperatures can have strong effects, especially in the tropics.

This year's powerful El Niño is projected to have significant impacts, particularly in tropical regions. Forecasters anticipate severe droughts in areas such as South America and the Western Pacific. Evidence of the current El Niño's strength is already apparent, with reduced shipping traffic through the Panama Canal attributed to the resulting dry conditions.

The Met Office's warning underscores the potential for extreme weather events linked to this powerful climate phenomenon. Further updates on this developing story are expected.

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this year is expected to see a temperature increase of more than three degrees Celsius, which is "unprecedented in modern climate records."