WMO: El Niño to Peak in December and Last at Least Until Spring 2027

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the United Nations agency that coordinates global weather and climate data, warns that the El Niño event that developed in 2026 could become one of the strongest on record. That raises the prospect of a wave of extreme weather around the world and new global temperature records next year, according to Euronews.

What El Niño is

El Niño is a natural climate phenomenon that occurs irregularly, usually every two to seven years. During it, sea surface temperatures in the eastern Pacific Ocean rise unusually high.

Earlier this year, experts had already warned of a likely strong event, because a large amount of heat had built up in the deeper layers of the ocean and the trade winds were expected to weaken. In the first week of June, the WMO officially confirmed the start of the event. By the end of summer, experts said it could become the strongest since the 19th century, and it was nicknamed "El Niño Godzilla" and "Super El Niño".

When the peak and end are expected

According to the latest statement from the US Office of Management and Budget (OMB), El Niño is expected to peak this December and continue through the following year.

WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo said El Niño is fully developed and intensifying rapidly. In her words, the organization's forecasts show an almost 100 percent chance that the event will last until February 2027, potentially making it one of the strongest episodes since 1950.

The forecast is not based on a single climate model. The WMO compiled data from ocean buoys, satellites and meteorological instruments at 13 national and international centres.

El Niño will end no earlier than spring 2027, and its effects may persist for longer. For that reason, experts warn that new global temperature records could be set next year.