El Niño, 5 ways it is influencing weather phenomena and bad weather around the world

The global intensification of El Niño is redrawing the planet's meteorological map, triggering a succession of extreme events which, according to projections by the World Meteorological Organization, are destined to persist and strengthen until at least 2027. Countries such as Indonesia, India and the United States are already dealing with a destructive alternation of prolonged droughts, floods and unprecedented heat waves. Scientific data and field findings have outlined the five main ways in which the phenomenon is already demonstrating its maximum power on the planet, well illustrated in a BBC article.

Indonesia: Worst fire season since 2015

Atmospheric warming has turned Indonesia into a powder keg. Since January, at least 895,657 hectares of land have gone up in smoke, an area equal to almost six times that of the county of London and more than double compared to the previous year. The fires released a toxic haze which forced the authorities to close schools and caused the hospitalization of over 175 thousand people for serious respiratory problems. What worries doctors most are the over 40 thousand cases of pneumonia and bronchitis that have affected young children.

Eastern Pacific: record killer hurricane activity

The exceptionally warm waters of the eastern Pacific, combined with light winds at high altitude, created the perfect storm. The basin has already recorded 22 storms and 12 hurricanes (10 of which are major), exceeding the average for an entire season two months early. The emblem of this anomaly was Hurricane Polo, capable of generating gusts of up to 285 km/h. Twice in one month the simultaneous presence of three hurricanes occurred at the same time, an event that had not been recorded since 2015.

Atlantic: an unusual calm and a historical record

While the Pacific shakes, the Atlantic Ocean is experiencing a surprisingly calm season. El Niño here increases the so-called wind shear (the variation in wind speed and direction), a factor that nips storm systems in the bud. So far there have been just eight tropical storms and only one hurricane, Isaias, which hit the coast between Florida and Alabama. Isaias set the record for the latest hurricane to form in the season since the satellite era began in the 1960s, shattering previous records in 2002 and 2013.

India: weak monsoon and agriculture at risk

In India, the crucial monsoon rains recorded an overall deficit of 13%. Although for local meteorologists the data formally falls within normality, the average hides profound regional crises: the east and north-east of the country are experiencing an exceptional drought with 26% less rainfall, while the south is -24%. The alternation between long dry periods and concentrated violent storms is bringing the agricultural sector to its knees, threatening the safety of crops.

Far East: super typhoons over China and Japan

In the western Pacific, as many as 10 tropical cyclones formed in a single season, the highest figure since 1966. The alteration of winds caused by El Niño pushes storms to form much further east than in the past. This change of course forces typhoons - such as the recent Maysak and Dujuan - to travel much longer sea routes before impacting the land. Remaining over warm waters for a long time, storms accumulate enormous energy, transforming into devastating phenomena capable of causing landslides and catastrophic floods in eastern China and Japan.