UN sounds alarm over high-intensity El Niño phenomenon affecting global weather

World climate changeclimate crisisenvironmentTop NewsWeather UN sounds alarm over high-intensity El Niño phenomenon affecting global weather Un Sounds Alarm Over High Intensity El Niño Phenomenon Affecting Global Weather Relevant News UN sounds alarm over high-intensity El Niño phenomenon affecting global weather 3 July 2026 Limassol arson probe underway after fire at massage parlour 3 July 2026 Aegean resumes Athens-Paphos flights after years-long absence 3 July 2026 Newsroom 3 July 2026 FacebookXWhatsAppEmailPrintViber The United Nations has issued a serious warning over El Niño, which is appearing this year with exceptionally high intensity and is already affecting weather conditions across the planet. For Europe, the data point to an increased likelihood of extreme weather events, with scientists warning that the effects will be felt in temperatures, rainfall and storms. According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), El Niño conditions have developed in the tropical Pacific Ocean, and the phenomenon is expected to strengthen rapidly in the coming months, raising the likelihood of heatwaves, droughts, heavy rainfall and other extreme weather events across many parts of the world. In its first seasonal alert bulletin, the WMO described a rapid progression towards a high-intensity El Niño episode between July and September, which will reach the third of four levels on its scale. How long does El Niño last? The update follows an earlier announcement on June 2 by the WMO, when it said the onset of El Niño was imminent. A few days later, on June 11, the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) confirmed the phenomenon had already begun in May. This climate phenomenon is typically recorded every two to seven years and lasts nine to twelve months, according to the WMO. It raises surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean, altering winds, pressure systems and rainfall patterns on a global scale, and strongly affects global temperatures in the year that follows, the WMO said. El Niño “is already present and is expected to strengthen rapidly, reaching high intensity,” WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo said, according to the organisation’s statement. She added that it would “increase the likelihood of drought and heavy rainfall,” as well as the risk of heatwaves on land and at sea in many regions of the world. During the most recent occurrence of El Niño, in 2023 and 2024, the two hottest years on record were registered. The cyclical phenomenon affects the planet’s climate like a domino effect for several months. According to the WMO, forecasts from the world’s leading international centres point to a continued, substantial rise in ocean temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific, expected to exceed 2 degrees Celsius in the “key monitored regions.” The organisation said forecasting models show strong convergence, indicating a high degree of certainty. El Niño will continue to strengthen between September and November, with its effects expected to spread across many regions of the world. Equatorial Atlantic temperatures are also expected to remain higher than normal for the season. Regional forecasts The WMO considers it “overwhelmingly” likely that temperatures will be higher than normal across all inhabited regions between July and September, with the exception of the poles. It also forecasts above-normal rainfall in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific, and below-normal rainfall in parts of the tropical Indian Ocean, the Indian subcontinent and much of Australia. In equatorial Africa, forecasts point to a striking east-west contrast, with above-normal rainfall north of the Gulf of Guinea but below-normal rainfall in the Horn of Africa. Below-normal rainfall is also expected in the Caribbean, north-western South America and parts of Central America, while the south-western United States is expected to experience conditions far wetter than average. In Europe, forecasts point to a strong north-south contrast, with more rain in the south and less in the north, although forecasts for Europe are considered to carry a lower degree of certainty than for other regions. Subscribe to our Newsletter Latest News Limassol arson probe underway after fire at massage parlour Aegean resumes Athens-Paphos flights after years-long absence Two men arrested in Ayia Napa after officer assaulted on patrol Why isn’t Cyprus’s cost of living coming down? Police secure footage, key witness accounts in Limassol wife shooting case Conflict-of-interest concerns raised over Mafia State investigators Low-income pensioners could see 50% increase, minister says Follow en.philenews on Google News and be the first to know all the news about Cyprus and the world.