The World Meteorological Organization announced on Thursday that the El Niño weather phenomenon is expected to escalate throughout 2027, potentially becoming the most potent on record. Secretary-General Celeste Saulo highlighted that if current trends persist, this El Niño could surpass any observed in the last four decades.
Forecasts from the UN weather agency indicate a nearly 100% chance of El Niño persisting until February 2027, driven by exceptionally warm Pacific Ocean temperatures. This level of certainty is unprecedented according to the WMO.
A severe El Niño event can cause significant disruptions in global rainfall and temperature patterns, leading to extreme weather occurrences like typhoons. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasized the unprecedented scale of the current El Niño and its impact on global climate.
El Niño, a cyclical warming of sea surface temperatures in the eastern Pacific resulting from weakened trade winds, occurs naturally every two to seven years and typically lasts up to 12 months. This year’s El Niño has already affected agricultural regions in tropical areas, triggering a severe food crisis in Central America’s Dry Corridor.
The WMO predicts that El Niño will peak by the end of this year but will continue to influence global temperatures into 2027. Secretary-General Saulo emphasized the organization’s increased focus on preparedness and early warning systems in response to the escalating El Niño.
Saulo reaffirmed the WMO’s commitment to collaborating with partners within the United Nations and humanitarian sectors to provide crucial climate intelligence for disaster management and climate-sensitive industries such as agriculture, health, energy, and water resources.
[WATCH | What a ‘super’ El Niño means for you: A video explaining the potential impacts of a strong El Niño event on various regions and sectors.]
Some climate projections suggest that 2026 could experience a particularly intense El Niño event. CBC’s Nick Logan delves into the implications and expectations for Canadians in the face of this climatic phenomenon.