Enviro News Asia, Geneva — The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has warned that El Niño could peak in late 2026, potentially becoming one of the strongest episodes in the past four decades. Sea surface temperatures in the tropical Pacific are projected to rise to as much as 3.8 degrees Celsius above average between November 2026 and January 2027.
WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo explained that an intensifying extreme El Niño could trigger cascading disruptions to global climate patterns. The phenomenon could increase the risk of heatwaves, severe droughts and flash floods, threatening the safety and livelihoods of vulnerable communities worldwide.
Extreme heat and drought could affect Southeast Asia, southern Africa, Central America and the Amazon region. In contrast, heavy rainfall and flooding are projected to pose risks to East Africa and parts of North and South America.
To prevent the escalating climate crisis from developing into a humanitarian emergency, WMO and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) have issued a joint appeal for anticipatory emergency action. The United Nations has urged governments and humanitarian organizations to use early warning systems to protect displaced populations and vulnerable communities.
WMO emphasized the importance of monitoring national and regional weather forecasts to guide targeted response measures. Integrating scientific data with anticipatory action at the local level is considered essential to reducing the risk of loss of life from extreme El Niño impacts. (*)
