Extreme weather more likely in coming months: WMO

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has issued a stark warning about the escalating El Niño conditions in the tropical Pacific. These conditions are forecast to strengthen rapidly in the coming months, significantly increasing the probability of extreme weather events across the globe.

The WMO's latest Global Seasonal Climate Update indicates that El Niño is expected to develop into a strong event between July and September 2026. Forecast models show a high degree of agreement, predicting consistent and significant warming of ocean temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific, potentially exceeding 2 degrees Celsius above the long-term average in key monitoring regions.

This intensification of El Niño is projected to continue through the Northern Hemisphere autumn, with its effects rippling across numerous global regions. The WMO anticipates a high likelihood of above-average temperatures across most populated land areas between 60 degrees South and 60 degrees North. However, precipitation patterns are expected to be varied, with above-normal rainfall more likely over the central and eastern equatorial Pacific, while regions like the Indian subcontinent and Australia may experience below-normal rainfall.

El Niño events, which typically occur every two to seven years and last nine to 12 months, usually begin developing between March and June and reach their peak intensity between November and February. The WMO is intensifying its efforts to provide information and support services to help countries prepare for and mitigate the impacts of these anticipated extreme weather events.