London, Aug 22 (V7N)- The El Niño climate pattern developing in the Pacific Ocean could become the strongest on record, bringing significant changes to global temperatures and increasing the risk of extreme weather, the UK’s Met Office has warned.
According to the Met Office, 2027 is “strongly likely” to become the warmest year ever recorded as the effects of the powerful natural climate pattern combine with human-induced climate change.
Professor Adam Scaife, head of the Met Office’s long-range forecasting department, described the developing event as unprecedented.
What is El Niño?
El Niño is a naturally occurring climate pattern that typically develops every two to seven years and lasts around a year.
During an El Niño event, the trade winds that normally blow from east to west across the Pacific weaken or change direction. This allows unusually warm ocean water to move toward the eastern Pacific.
Scientists generally classify an El Niño when sea-surface temperatures in a specific region of the Pacific are at least 0.5 degrees Celsius above normal. Current temperatures in the relevant area are reportedly more than 2 degrees Celsius above average.
Global weather impact
The unusual distribution of heat in the Pacific Ocean affects atmospheric circulation, which can alter weather patterns across different parts of the world.
The effects of El Niño vary from region to region, and scientists say not every event produces the same consequences. However, signs of changing weather patterns are already being observed.
South Asia experienced significantly below-normal southwest monsoon rainfall during 2026, while other regions are facing different weather-related impacts.
Risk of wetter, stormier autumn in UK
The Met Office said El Niño is not directly responsible for the record-breaking heatwaves experienced in various parts of the world this summer.
However, the climate pattern could have a significant influence on weather in the UK and northwestern Europe during autumn and early winter.
The region could experience increased rainfall and stormier conditions as atmospheric circulation patterns change.
2027 could break global temperature record
During an El Niño event, substantial amounts of heat stored in the ocean are released into the atmosphere, increasing global average temperatures.
Met Office climate scientist Dr. Nick Dunstone said temperatures tend to rise particularly strongly during the calendar year following the winter peak of an El Niño.
As a result, 2027 could surpass the previous global temperature record set in 2024 and become the warmest year ever recorded.
Earlier, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) warned that a powerful El Niño could worsen food insecurity for billions of people living in vulnerable countries.
END/SMA/AJ
