The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) warned on Tuesday that a moderate to strong El Niño event could develop in the coming months, leading to a rise in global temperatures and an increase in extreme weather events.
According to the World Meteorological Organization, warming surface waters in the central and eastern Pacific are expected to lead to above-average seasonal temperatures in most parts of the world between June and August. This phenomenon could continue until November.
WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo called on governments to anticipate the possible consequences of this climate event, including heat waves, droughts and heavy rainfall.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres described the situation as an urgent climate alert, stressing the need to strengthen prevention and adaptation measures.
El Niño is a natural phenomenon that alters weather patterns worldwide. It typically causes more rainfall in certain regions, including southern South America, the southern United States, parts of the Horn of Africa, and Central Asia.
Conversely, it can lead to severe droughts in Australia, Indonesia, Central America, and several areas of South Asia. It also promotes the formation of cyclones and hurricanes in parts of the Pacific Ocean.
The WMO points out that the previous El Niño event, between 2023 and 2024, contributed to making 2024 the hottest year ever recorded globally. Experts fear that another intense event could exacerbate the effects of climate change already observed in many parts of the world.
In light of these forecasts, UN agencies are urging national authorities to strengthen their warning systems, emergency plans and measures to protect populations most vulnerable to extreme heat, floods and droughts.
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