UN warns of ‘massive’ El Niño as countries prepare for extreme weather

The world has entered a “danger zone of extreme weather” as El Niño begins to make itself felt across the globe, UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned. The natural climate phenomenon could reach a scale unseen in more than seven decades, according to the latest data from the World Meteorological Organization.

El Niño changes weather patterns worldwide. Some regions face extreme drought, while others could see stronger typhoons and flooding. Meteorologists also expect temperatures to rise in certain areas, adding to the warming already caused by human activity. “El Niño is taking on huge proportions right before our eyes. Science leaves no room for doubt: the planet is in uncharted waters, and these waters are heating up,” Guterres said.

The current episode could persist at least until February 2027. Sea-surface temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific have risen sharply in recent months, a clear sign that the phenomenon is intensifying. In the main Pacific monitoring region, surface temperatures stood more than 2 degrees Celsius above average in recent weeks, a level that could qualify the event as “very strong.” Forecasts suggest it could go further, with monthly sea-surface temperatures approaching 4 degrees above average. That would make it the strongest El Niño recorded since at least 1950, possibly by a wide margin.

“

El Niño is taking on huge proportions right before our eyes. Science leaves no room for doubt: the planet is in uncharted waters, and these waters are heating up.

Temperatures below the Pacific’s surface are even higher in some areas, exceeding 8 degrees above average. Above-normal sea temperatures are also expected in the Indian Ocean, the tropical Atlantic and parts of Australia’s coast. The ocean changes are especially worrying for Australia because of the region’s rich marine life.

Governments and scientists are working to reduce the risks of deaths, displacement and environmental damage. Early-warning systems have been strengthened and preventive health care expanded, but the size of this episode has prompted serious concern, particularly for vulnerable groups. WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo said El Niño “has the potential to hit communities and economies around the world massively.” The UN agency has begun a “major mobilization” to distribute forecasts of possible El Niño-related extreme weather to as many communities as possible.

“

El Niño has the potential to hit communities and economies around the world massively.