Overview
- WMO officials said Wednesday that seasonal forecasts point to Niño‑3.4 sea-surface temperature anomalies of roughly 3.7–3.8°C above normal, a level higher than the 2015–16 record.
- Observed ocean readings rose quickly this year, climbing from about 1.6°C above normal in June to 2.5°C in August, and models now project near 3.7°C for October–December.
- The WMO maps increased risk of heavy rains and floods in parts of East Africa and South America and heightened drought, heat and fire risk in southern Africa, Central America, Southeast Asia and the Amazon.
- The United Nations has warned up to 50 million more people could face hunger, and UN relief coordinator Tom Fletcher released more than $50 million from the CERF while urging governments and banks to fund pre-emptive aid.
- Scientists say the release of ocean heat by this El Niño plus ongoing human-caused warming raises the chance that 2027 could be the warmest year on record, with likely second-order effects on food, fuel and fertilizer prices.