World Meteorological Organization Alerts to Intensifying El Niño Impact on Global Weather Patterns

World Meteorological Organization forecasts more likelihood of heatwaves, droughts and heavy rainfall due to El Niño.

Published On 3 Jul 20263 Jul 2026

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has issued a formal alert to governments and humanitarian agencies, urging preparedness for heightened extreme weather events, including heatwaves, droughts, and intense rainfall, as El Niño conditions are projected to intensify rapidly between July and September.

In a statement released on Friday, the WMO confirmed that El Niño conditions are already underway and forecast a significant strengthening of this climate phenomenon during the upcoming months. While El Niño typically reaches its peak between November and February, the current trajectory suggests an accelerated progression toward a stronger event.

Acting on the forecast, the WMO has mobilized climate information services and early warning systems to support nations in formulating proactive response strategies for at-risk populations and agricultural sectors.

“El Niño conditions are already under way and are forecast to strengthen rapidly into a strong event – as accurately anticipated by WMO forecasts,” stated WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo. “This will intensify the chances of drought and heavy rainfall and the risk of heatwaves on land and marine heatwaves in many regions of the world.”

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She emphasized that advanced seasonal forecasting and early warning systems are critical tools for safeguarding lives and minimizing economic disruption in vulnerable communities.

El Niño is a naturally occurring climate pattern characterized by the warming of ocean surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific. This phenomenon triggers shifts in global atmospheric circulation, altering wind patterns, pressure systems, and precipitation across regions. Events typically recur every two to seven years and persist for nine to 12 months, though impacts vary significantly by geography.

Currently, global ocean temperatures have reached record levels, a trend the WMO partially attributes to the ongoing El Niño. The previous cycle contributed to 2023 ranking as the second-hottest year on record, while 2024 marked the hottest year in historical data, with average temperatures approximately 1.55°C (2.79°F) above pre-industrial benchmarks.

Even during neutral phases of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation cycle, extreme weather events can still manifest, underscoring the complex interplay between natural climate variability and long-term warming trends.

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