El Niño Intensifies Into Very Strong Event as WMO Warns of Extreme Weather

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has warned that a very strong El Niño is intensifying and could bring more extreme weather conditions across the world through 2027. In its latest climate update released on November 9, 2026, the organisation said the natural climate phenomenon is developing alongside already record-breaking global temperatures, increasing the risks of dangerous heatwaves, heavy rainfall, droughts and tropical storms. The warning highlights growing concerns about the combined effects of El Niño and human-driven climate change.

According to the WMO, global average temperatures between January and September 2026 were approximately 1.47°C above pre-industrial levels. The organisation expects this figure to increase towards the end of the year as El Niño releases additional heat from the Pacific Ocean into the atmosphere. The past 12 years have individually ranked among the warmest on record, while 2026 is expected to become one of the four hottest years ever recorded. Scientists also reported that the Earth’s energy imbalance has reached its highest level since monitoring began.

The organisation explained that El Niño occurs when ocean surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific become unusually warm, disrupting normal atmospheric circulation and influencing weather patterns worldwide. Its effects include increased temperatures in several regions, reduced rainfall in some areas and heavier precipitation in others. The WMO also highlighted record ocean heat, rising sea levels and continuing glacier losses as evidence of the growing climate crisis. However, the severity of El Niño’s effects will vary between countries depending on their geographical locations and other climate conditions.

The WMO is urging governments and communities to strengthen disaster preparedness, improve weather forecasting and expand early-warning systems to reduce the impact of extreme weather. Vulnerable sectors, including agriculture, healthcare, energy and water supply, are expected to face increasing pressure as temperatures and rainfall patterns change. The organisation also emphasised the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and accelerate climate action. With El Niño expected to remain a major influence into 2027, scientists say timely preparation will be essential to protecting lives, livelihoods and economies.