WMO warns El Niño strengthening rapidly, extreme weather risks rising

El Niño conditions have developed in the tropical Pacific and are expected to strengthen rapidly in the coming months, according to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) on Friday. The WMO stated this could increase the likelihood of heatwaves, drought, heavy rainfall, and other extreme weather conditions in several parts of the world. In its latest Global Seasonal Climate Update, the WMO said forecast models indicate a swift transition to a strong El Niño event during July-September 2026, with sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific expected to rise more than 2 degrees Celsius above average. The WMO said forecast models show ‘remarkable agreement’, providing high confidence that El Niño will continue to strengthen into the northern hemisphere autumn, while the equatorial Atlantic is also expected to remain warmer than average. ‘El Niño conditions are already in place and are expected to strengthen rapidly into a strong event, as accurately anticipated by WMO forecasts,’ said WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo in a press statement. The agency said it has enhanced coordination, climate information services, and early warning support to help governments, humanitarian organisations, and a number of climate-sensitive sectors, including agriculture and health, prepare for potential impacts. ‘The WMO community has launched an unprecedented mobilisation to coordinate activities across the United Nations and at the regional level to support governments, humanitarian organisations, and climate-sensitive sectors,’ Saulo said. Saulo explained that sophisticated seasonal forecasts and early warnings are essential for saving lives and reducing impacts on economies and communities.