The United Nations issued a stark warning on Wednesday about the increasing likelihood of the El Niño weather phenomenon emerging in the coming months, a development that could significantly raise global temperatures and shatter existing heat records.
According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the chance of El Niño forming by the end of July stands at 60%, climbing to 80% by the end of September. If it materializes, the phenomenon is expected to intensify global warming trends, already accelerated by human-induced climate change.
“El Niño has the potential to unleash extreme weather across the globe, from severe droughts to devastating floods,” warned the WMO in its latest climate update. The organization highlighted the importance of early warnings and preparedness measures to mitigate the impacts on agriculture, water resources, health, and energy sectors.
The world is already reeling from record-high temperatures in recent years. A strong El Niño could push 2024 and 2025 into unprecedented climate extremes, the agency cautioned, urging nations to reinforce climate resilience and uphold international emission reduction commitments.
