Overview
- The Met Office announced on Friday that the developing El Niño is likely the strongest in living memory and could be the largest since the 19th century.
- Forecast systems project equatorial Pacific sea‑surface temperatures rising more than 3°C above average, with some model aggregates showing peaks near 3.9°C.
- Forecasters say the pattern raises the odds of a wetter, stormier autumn and early winter for north‑west Europe while increasing drought and heat risk across parts of the tropics and Australia.
- Analysts warn the event could disrupt harvests, tighten shipping through the Panama Canal and push food prices higher, with some estimates projecting double‑digit price pressure for key commodities.
- Scientists say the El Niño’s added heat makes 2027 very likely to be the hottest year on record and are urging stepped‑up warnings, drought management and cross‑sector preparedness.