The El Niño phenomenon currently affecting the planet has broken the highest temperature ever recorded for it, several months before its anticipated peak. Data indicates the temperature rise at the centre of El Niño in the Pacific Ocean has reached 3.05C.
This temperature surpasses the previous high of 3.02C, which was recorded in late November 2015 and was the highest in 150 years of modern records. This measurement is taken against the average from 1991-2020.
Forecasts suggest a potential peak of 4.0C in November and December. Climate scientist Zeke Hausfather described this level as “mind-blowing”. Any temperature rise above 2C is classified as a super El Niño.
The current El Niño is likely to be the largest in at least 1,000 years. It is expected to add further heat to an atmosphere already experiencing rising temperatures due to human-caused global heating.