**UN Warns of Intensified Extreme Weather Events as El Niño Conditions Develop**
The United Nations' World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has issued a stark warning regarding the potential for increased extreme weather events as the El Niño weather phenomenon is set to intensify in the coming months. In a statement released on July 3, 2026, the WMO cautioned governments and humanitarian organizations to prepare for a range of severe weather conditions, including heatwaves, droughts, and heavy rainfall.
According to the WMO, El Niño conditions have already begun to manifest and are expected to strengthen significantly between July and September. The organization noted that these conditions typically reach their peak between November and February. WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, "El Niño conditions are already under way and are forecast to strengthen rapidly into a strong event – as accurately anticipated by WMO forecasts."
The WMO's warning comes in the context of rising global ocean temperatures, which reached record highs in June 2026. This increase in ocean temperatures is partly attributed to the ongoing El Niño phenomenon. The last occurrence of El Niño was linked to making 2023 the second-hottest year on record, with projections indicating that 2024 could surpass it, reaching approximately 1.55 degrees Celsius (2.79 degrees Fahrenheit) above the pre-industrial average from 1850 to 1900.
El Niño is characterized by the warming of surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean, leading to significant alterations in global wind patterns, atmospheric pressure, and rainfall distribution. This natural climate phenomenon typically occurs every two to seven years and lasts between nine and twelve months. While El Niño and its counterpart, La Niña, are phases of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), extreme weather events can still occur during neutral conditions.
In response to the anticipated impacts of El Niño, the WMO has activated climate information services and early warning systems. These initiatives aim to assist governments and humanitarian agencies in formulating support plans for farmers and vulnerable communities who may be disproportionately affected by the extreme weather conditions.
Saulo highlighted the importance of advanced seasonal forecasts and early warnings in mitigating the impact of these weather events, stating, "These are vital to save lives and cushion the impact on our economies and our communities."
As the world braces for the potential consequences of an intensified El Niño, the WMO's warnings underscore the growing urgency for proactive measures to address the challenges posed by climate change and its associated extreme weather phenomena.