UN warns likelihood of ‘extreme weather events’ as El Nino set to intensify
World Meteorological Organization forecasts more likelihood of heatwaves, droughts and heavy rainfall due to El Nino.
The United Nations’ weather watchdog is warning governments and humanitarian organisations to brace for “extreme weather events” including heatwaves, droughts and heavy rainfall due to the El Nino weather phenomenon.
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said in a statement on Friday that El Nino conditions had already set in and are “forecast to strengthen rapidly” between July and September.
El Nino typically peaks between November and February.
The UN agency has activated climate information services and early warning systems to help governments and humanitarian agencies prepare support plans for farmers and vulnerable communities.
“El Nino conditions are already under way and are forecast to strengthen rapidly into a strong event – as accurately anticipated by WMO forecasts,” said WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo.
“This will intensify the chances of drought and heavy rainfall and the risk of heatwaves on land and marine heatwaves in many regions of the world.”
Saulo added that “advanced seasonal forecasts and early warnings are vital to save lives and cushion the impact on our economies and our communities.”
El Nino is a natural climate phenomenon that warms surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean, bringing worldwide changes in winds, pressure and rainfall patterns.
El Nino events typically occur every two to seven years and usually last between nine and 12 months. Not all regions of the world are affected.
Conditions oscillate between El Nino and its opposite La Nina – both phases of the El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) – with neutral conditions in between.
Even when ENSO is neutral, extreme weather can still occur.
On Thursday, the WMO reported that global ocean temperatures hit a new high in June, partly driven by El Nino.
The last El Nino contributed to making 2023 the second-hottest year on record and 2024 the all-time high, at about 1.55 degrees Celsius (2.79 degrees Fahrenheit) above the 1850-1900 pre-industrial average.
Read the full story at Al Jazeera ↗
The World Meteorological Organization has issued guidance that El Niño conditions are underway and expected to intensify between July and September. The phenomenon typically increases the frequency of heatwaves, droughts, and heavy rainfall across various regions, though impacts vary by location. El Niño is a recurring natural climate event that occurs every 2–7 years and usually lasts 9–12 months. The WMO has activated seasonal forecasting and early warning systems to assist governments and humanitarian organizations in preparing support for farmers and vulnerable populations. Global ocean temperatures reached a new record in June, with the previous El Niño event contributing to elevated temperatures in 2023 and 2024.
Read the full story at Al Jazeera ↗
World Meteorological Organization forecasts more likelihood of heatwaves, droughts and heavy rainfall due to El Nino.
The United Nations’ weather watchdog is warning governments and humanitarian organisations to brace for “extreme weather events” including heatwaves, droughts and heavy rainfall due to the El Nino weather phenomenon.
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said in a statement on Friday that El Nino conditions had already set in and are “forecast to strengthen rapidly” between July and September.
El Nino typically peaks between November and February.
The UN agency has activated climate information services and early warning systems to help governments and humanitarian agencies prepare support plans for farmers and vulnerable communities.
“El Nino conditions are already under way and are forecast to strengthen rapidly into a strong event – as accurately anticipated by WMO forecasts,” said WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo.
“This will intensify the chances of drought and heavy rainfall and the risk of heatwaves on land and marine heatwaves in many regions of the world.”
Saulo added that “advanced seasonal forecasts and early warnings are vital to save lives and cushion the impact on our economies and our communities.”
El Nino is a natural climate phenomenon that warms surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean, bringing worldwide changes in winds, pressure and rainfall patterns.
El Nino events typically occur every two to seven years and usually last between nine and 12 months. Not all regions of the world are affected.
Conditions oscillate between El Nino and its opposite La Nina – both phases of the El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) – with neutral conditions in between.
Even when ENSO is neutral, extreme weather can still occur.
On Thursday, the WMO reported that global ocean temperatures hit a new high in June, partly driven by El Nino.
The last El Nino contributed to making 2023 the second-hottest year on record and 2024 the all-time high, at about 1.55 degrees Celsius (2.79 degrees Fahrenheit) above the 1850-1900 pre-industrial average.
Read the full story at Al Jazeera ↗
El Niño conditions are already established and forecast to strengthen rapidly between July and September. El Niño increases the likelihood of heatwaves, droughts, and heavy rainfall in many regions. El Niño is a natural climate phenomenon that warms surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean. El Niño events typically occur every 2–7 years and last 9–12 months, with typical peaks November–February. The WMO has activated early warning systems to help governments and organizations prepare for El Niño impacts. Advanced seasonal forecasts and early warnings are vital to save lives and cushion economic and community impact. Global ocean temperatures hit a record high in June, partly driven by El Niño. The previous El Niño contributed to 2023 being the second-hottest year on record and 2024 the highest at approximately 1.55°C above pre-industrial levels.
Read the full story at Al Jazeera ↗
- The UN's World Meteorological Organization forecasts El Niño conditions will strengthen rapidly from July through September, increasing the likelihood of heatwaves, droughts, and heavy rainfall globally.
- El Niño is a natural Pacific Ocean warming phenomenon that occurs every 2–7 years and typically peaks November–February, affecting wind, pressure, and rainfall patterns worldwide.
- The WMO has activated early warning systems to help governments and humanitarian organizations prepare support for vulnerable communities and farmers.
- Global ocean temperatures reached a record high in June, partly driven by El Niño; the previous El Niño contributed to 2023 being the second-hottest year on record.