‘Supersized’ El Nino to be strongest ever recorded: UN, Pg16

Key Highlights:

• The El Nino weather phenomenon is predicted to intensify further into 2027.
• It could become the strongest ever recorded, according to the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO).
• The WMO forecasts a near 100% likelihood of El Nino persisting through February 2027.
• This intensification is driven by exceptionally warm Pacific Ocean temperatures.
• The phenomenon raises risks of extreme weather events globally.

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Detailed Insights:

• El Nino is characterized by a periodic warming of sea surface temperatures in the eastern Pacific Ocean.
• It is caused by the weakening of trade winds in the equatorial Pacific.
• The phenomenon typically occurs every two to seven years and can last up to 12 months.
• Strong El Nino events can significantly alter global rainfall and temperature patterns.
• It often leads to intense rains and droughts in various regions, particularly across Latin America.
• The WMO is enhancing preparedness and early warning systems to enable states to take proactive measures.

Scientific/Technical Concepts Involved:

• El Nino: A climate pattern describing the unusual warming of surface waters in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean.
• Trade Winds: Persistent easterly surface winds that blow from the subtropical high-pressure belts towards the equator.
• World Meteorological Organisation (WMO): A specialized agency of the United Nations dedicated to international cooperation and coordination on the state and behavior of the Earth’s atmosphere.