The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has warned that a powerful El Niño is steadily intensifying and will heavily dominate global weather patterns through August to October.
According to the latest WMO Global Seasonal Climate Update, sea-surface temperature anomalies in key equatorial Pacific monitoring regions are projected to exceed 2.9°C. This active climate driver is developing alongside a positive Indian Ocean Dipole and record-breaking tropical ocean warmth.
The convergence of these conditions is expected to trigger widespread above-average temperatures across Africa, southern Europe, South America, and parts of Asia, while drastically altering global rainfall and intensifying drought and flood risks.
United Nations (UN) Secretary-General António Guterres emphasised the severity of the crisis, noting that the phenomenon is unfolding on an already overheating planet and calling for an immediate halt to fossil fuel expansion.
Meanwhile, WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo stressed that these advanced forecasts provide governments and vulnerable communities a critical window of opportunity to strengthen early warning systems and mobilize disaster preparedness before severe impacts fully unfold.
The WMO noted that proactive preparation remains vital to mitigating severe food insecurity and displacement risks as global weather anomalies intensify across vulnerable regions.
The organisation said it would step up coordination, climate information services and early warning support to help governments, humanitarian agencies, climate-sensitive sectors such as agriculture and health, and vulnerable communities prepare for potential impacts.
