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UN warns El Niño could become strongest in 40 years as world enters extreme-weather danger zone

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News From a news agency Ongoing story
  • The World Meteorological Organization said the current El Niño is expected to intensify into a very strong event and may become the strongest in 40 years of comparable records.
  • The phenomenon is expected to peak by the end of the year, while its climate effects could continue into 2027 and increase risks of floods, droughts and extreme heat.
  • UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned that the world has entered a danger zone for extreme weather, while climate-sensitive sectors were urged to prepare.

The current El Niño could become the strongest event recorded in four decades, the World Meteorological Organization warned, and it is almost certain to continue until February.

If this trajectory continues, it could be stronger than any event since we began monitoring

· Celeste SauloThe WMO secretary-general described the possible strength of the developing El Niño.

WMO said the phenomenon would intensify to "very strong" levels over the coming months and peak at the end of the year. Its effects on climate patterns could continue until 2027. El Niño warms sea-surface waters in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific, altering winds, air pressure and rainfall around the world.

WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo said, "If this trajectory continues, it could be stronger than any event since we began monitoring." The agency warned that the event could bring increased risks of flooding, drought and extreme heat. It said nearly all land areas have a higher probability of experiencing above-normal temperatures between September and November.

The El Niño phenomenon is rapidly expanding before our eyes

· António GuterresThe UN secretary-general warned about the speed of the phenomenon's development.

The weekly sea-surface temperature readings from late July to mid-August stood between 2.2 and 2.6 degrees Celsius above average, after averaging 1.5 degrees above normal between May and July. WMO classifies El Niño as weak, moderate, strong or very strong. This event is expected to reach the highest category, defined by an anomaly above 2 degrees Celsius, although the upper limit remains open.

The world is in an extreme-weather danger zone

· António GuterresGuterres described the broader risk posed by worsening weather extremes.

El Niño occurs naturally and is not caused by climate change, but scientists say it can intensify heat on a planet already warmed by fossil-fuel combustion and amplify extreme weather. UN Secretary-General António Guterres said, "The El Niño phenomenon is rapidly expanding before our eyes" and warned, "The world is in an extreme-weather danger zone." Saulo urged disaster managers and the agriculture, fisheries, health, energy and water sectors to prepare for potentially serious impacts on communities and economies.

this unusual El Niño could potentially cause significant impacts on communities and economies around the world

· Celeste SauloSaulo urged climate-sensitive sectors and disaster authorities to prepare.
About this summary

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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