The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) on September 3 (local time) assessed that the El Nino phenomenon will continue to intensify in the coming months and will last until February 2027.
El Nino is a natural climate phenomenon, occurring when the sea surface temperature in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific regions increases abnormally, accompanied by changes in atmospheric circulation. This phenomenon can change temperatures and rainfall in many areas around the world.
WMO said that El Nino has clearly formed and will continue to strengthen. Fluctuations in rainfall and temperatures could lead to an increased risk of floods, droughts and extreme heat.
The sea water situation in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific regions is warming up rapidly. From May to July, the sea surface temperature in this area was 1.5°C higher than normal. From the end of July to mid-August, it fluctuated from about 2.2 - 2.6°C compared to the average level.
Notably, unusually high temperatures are also recorded in deep water layers beneath the ocean surface. In some areas, seawater temperatures below the surface in July and early August were higher than the average of over 8°C.
The combination of temperature conditions at the surface and under the ocean surface is clear evidence that the El Nino phenomenon will continue and is likely to strengthen in the coming months. With the appearance of very strong El Nino, in the period from September to November this year, it is highly likely that the temperature will be above average in most land areas.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that the world is entering a stage with more risks from extreme weather phenomena, and called for accelerating actions to respond to climate change.
WMO Secretary General Celeste Saulo said that El Nino could cause great damage to the community and the global economy. The WMO is coordinating with national meteorological and hydrological agencies to strengthen forecasting, early warning and prepare response measures before this phenomenon peaks.
