The El Niño phenomenon is expected to peak at the end of the year, WMO: It will last until February next year

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) stated in its monthly climate bulletin today (8th) that this year’s El Niño is expected to gradually intensify, reach its peak in December, and will almost certainly last until February 2027.

"Reuters" reported that WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo stated in a statement issued simultaneously with the communiqué: "WMO forecasts show that the probability of El Niño continuing until February 2027 is close to 100%, and the intensity may be the strongest since 1950."

WMO pointed out that the central and eastern waters of the tropical Pacific are the core areas of the El Niño phenomenon. The local sea surface temperature from October to December is expected to be 3.7 degrees Celsius higher than the normal value. If this number actually occurs, it will set a new record.

Shaulo pointed out: "The ocean absorbed by the El Niño phenomenon is the hottest we have ever measured. The sea surface can release a lot more heat."

El Niño is the warming phase of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation cycle that typically occurs every 2 to 7 years. El Niño will cause global temperatures to rise and disrupt rainfall patterns across large areas, causing droughts in some areas and heavy rains in others.

Researchers at the University of Chicago's Climate Impact Lab predicted last month that the "Super El Niño" could cause as many as 451,000 excess deaths worldwide between June this year and February 2027.