The world's top climate scientists are sounding the alarm as they officially declare the arrival of 'super El Niño', a powerful weather phenomenon expected to unleash unprecedented heat and extreme weather events around the globe. Forecasters warn that this could be the most intense El Niño event in over 70 years, with record-breaking global temperatures on the cards.
El Niño is part of the natural climate cycle known as the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), which sees fluctuations in ocean temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific. When sea surface temperatures rise by at least 0.5°C above normal, it can have far-reaching effects on global weather patterns.
Scientists from the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) believe there's a high chance this year's El Niño could rank among the largest events in historical records dating back to 1950. A strong El Niño significantly increases the likelihood of 2027 breaking global heat records and could trigger devastating impacts, including intensified rainstorms, severe droughts, and everything in between.
Previous 'super El Niños' have shown their destructive potential. The 2015 event led to severe drought in Ethiopia, water shortages in Puerto Rico, and an exceptionally active hurricane season in the central north Pacific. This year's event is anticipated to similarly disrupt weather patterns across various continents – potentially bringing drought and heat to Australia, southern and central Africa, India, and parts of the Amazon rainforest, while increasing heavy precipitation in areas such as the southern US, the Middle East, and south-central Asia.
While each El Niño event is unique in its intensity and outcomes, climate scientists stress that understanding these predictions is crucial for global preparedness. As the world grapples with the broader challenges of climate change, the term 'super El Niño' signifies an event where sea surface temperatures spike by at least 2°C – a rare occurrence that amplifies its potential global impacts.