By Zoila Palma: The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) says El Niño conditions have developed in the tropical Pacific and are expected to strengthen rapidly over the coming months, increasing the likelihood of heatwaves, droughts, heavy rainfall and other extreme weather events across many parts of the world.
According to the WMO’s latest Climate Update, forecasts indicate a rapid transition to a strong El Niño event between July and September 2026, with ocean temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific expected to rise significantly.
WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo said the organization has high confidence in the outlook as forecast models show remarkable agreement. “El Niño conditions are already underway and are forecast to strengthen rapidly into a strong event – as accurately anticipated by WMO forecasts. 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,” Saulo said.
The WMO noted that El Niño events typically occur every two to seven years and usually reach their peak between November and February, with global impacts varying depending on their strength and interaction with other climate patterns.
The July to September outlook predicts above-average temperatures across most populated land areas of the world, while rainfall patterns are expected to shift, bringing wetter conditions to some regions and below-normal rainfall to others, including parts of Central America and the Caribbean.
As countries prepare for the potential impacts, the WMO said it is expanding climate information services and early warning support to governments, humanitarian agencies and climate-sensitive sectors.
“The WMO community has launched an unprecedented mobilization to coordinate activities across the United Nations and at regional level to support governments, humanitarian organizations and climate-sensitive sectors,” Saulo said. She added, “Advanced seasonal forecasts and early warnings are vital to save lives and cushion the impact on our economies and our communities.”
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By Zoila Palma: The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) says El Niño conditions have developed in the tropical Pacific and are expected to strengthen rapidly over the coming months, increasing the likelihood of heatwaves, droughts, heavy rainfall and other extreme weather events across many parts of the world. According to the WMO’s latest Climate Update, forecasts
The post World Meteorological Organization warns strengthening El Niño could icrease risk of Extreme weather worldwide appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
