In its latest monthly global seasonal climate update, the WMO announced that El Niño, combined with exceptionally high global ocean temperatures, is expected to influence weather patterns in several regions over the coming months.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres stated, “El Niño is no longer just a passing phenomenon. It is now a reality we are living with on our planet, adding to global warming,” warning that the world is only beginning to experience its consequences.
He added that the phenomenon is worsening climate conditions at a time when heat domes, wildfires, and record-high sea surface temperatures are already affecting many parts of the world, warning that fossil fuels are “fueling the flames of this crisis.”
The UN chief stressed the need for urgent action to protect populations and address the root causes of climate change to prevent escalating risks.
El Niño is one of the most significant natural climate phenomena affecting the global climate system. It is associated with warmer-than-average sea surface temperatures in the equatorial Pacific Ocean, leading to disruptions in weather patterns, including heatwaves, heavy rainfall, droughts, and wildfires in various parts of the world.
