June 2, 2026 — The United Nations has warned that a new El Niño climate pattern could emerge within weeks and intensify throughout 2026, potentially becoming one of the strongest events recorded in modern history.
According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), warming ocean temperatures in the tropical Pacific Ocean indicate that El Niño conditions are rapidly developing. Several forecasts from leading climate agencies suggest the event could reach “super El Niño” status, a rare phenomenon associated with severe global weather disruptions.
Scientists have observed unusually warm waters spreading across the Pacific, with temperatures in some deep-ocean regions exceeding normal levels by more than 6 degrees Celsius. Experts say these conditions resemble those seen before some of the strongest El Niño episodes on record.
“We’re very confident that there’s a big event coming,” said Professor Adam Scaife of the UK Met Office, adding that it could even rival previous record-breaking El Niño events.
El Niño occurs when changes in Pacific wind patterns allow warm ocean waters to move eastward, altering atmospheric conditions around the world. Its impacts often include droughts and wildfires in parts of South America, Southeast Asia, and Australia, while increasing the risk of floods in other regions.
The phenomenon could also weaken India’s monsoon season, threaten agricultural production, and contribute to food price increases and economic disruptions worldwide.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned that El Niño would “pour fuel on the fire of a warming world,” stressing that its effects could be amplified by ongoing human-caused climate change.
Climate experts note that El Niño events typically raise global temperatures by around 0.2°C. Combined with the planet’s existing warming trend, the upcoming event could make 2027 the hottest year ever recorded.
Although forecasting the exact strength of El Niño remains challenging due to unpredictable wind patterns, scientists agree that even a moderately strong event could have significant global consequences.
Governments and communities are being urged to prepare for heightened risks of extreme weather, water shortages, agricultural losses, and climate-related disasters in the months ahead.
