WMO Confirms Stable El Niño, Warns of Escalating Extreme Weather Through

The World Meteorological Organization announced on Thursday that the El Niño phenomenon has become “firmly established,” forecasting an intensification over the coming months and assigning a “near 100 per cent” likelihood of its continuation until February 2027.

UN Secretary-General Sounds Alarm on Climate Threshold

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres issued a warning on the same day, stating that the intensifying El Niño is pushing the world into a “high-risk zone” where extreme weather events may become the new norm.

In a statement, Guterres said: “Science leaves no room for doubt — the planet is entering the unknown, and oceans are warming.” He added that sea surface temperatures “have reached unprecedented levels and continue to rise,” underscoring that humanity now operates in “a high-risk zone where extreme weather events become the new standard.”

Global Impacts Expected Through February 2027

The WMO’s latest assessment highlights major repercussions for global rainfall patterns and temperature distributions. These shifts carry significant associated risks, including floods, droughts, and extreme heat.

Specialized agencies worldwide are monitoring the atmospheric and oceanic developments closely, anticipating regional disruptions to precipitation and thermal regimes driven by El Niño-related changes.

According to the officially released forecasts, the phenomenon’s effects will extend across rainfall and temperature systems, increasing the likelihood of severe weather conditions — including flooding, drought, and intense heatwaves — in multiple regions through February 2027.

Converging Warnings on Climate Stress

The joint warnings from the World Meteorological Organization and the United Nations reflect growing concern over sustained climate pressures linked to rising global temperatures, coinciding with projections of heightened El Niño strength in the period ahead.