The United Nations has warned that an emerging El Nino weather pattern could drive extreme weather conditions globally over the coming months. According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), there is an 80% chance of an El Nino event forming between June and August, rising to a roughly 90% likelihood by November.
Key Takeaways
The UN warns that an emerging El Nino event could drive extreme weather globally from June to November. The WMO predicts at least moderate conditions, with increased rainfall in some regions and droughts in others.
- El Nino has an 80% chance of forming by August and a 90% chance by November
- Expected impacts include severe wildfires, hurricane formation, and potential food price increases
- The EU plans to deploy record numbers of firefighters and aircraft in high-risk areas
- UN officials urge global preparedness and a shift away from fossil fuels
Source Claims Check
1 Difference Found| Claim | Status | Reason | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expected Impacts Of El Nino | 1 Difference | Majority reports rainfall and droughts; Al Jazeera adds potential food price increases | ▼ |
| El Nino Probability | Broad Agreement | 80% chance by August; 90% by November | |
| Eu Response To El Nino | Broad Agreement | EU plans to deploy record number of firefighters and aircraft in high-risk areas |
The WMO issued this alert in a news release on Tuesday, emphasizing that warm ocean waters are driving El Nino's development. The weather pattern is expected to bring above-average temperatures worldwide from June to August, with the potential for at least moderate and possibly strong conditions.
El Nino can trigger increased rainfall in southern South America, parts of the US, the Horn of Africa, and Central Asia. Conversely, it may cause droughts in Australia, Central America, Indonesia, and parts of South Asia. The phenomenon could also spur hurricane formation in the central and eastern Pacific. According to The Guardian, there is an 80% chance of El Nino forming before September and a 90% chance before November.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stated that the world must treat this as an urgent climate warning, emphasizing the need for global preparedness. “The science is clear: El Nino is arriving on our doorstep in the coming months with 90 percent certainty,” said Guterres. He warned that impacts will hit harder and travel farther, crossing borders with devastating speed.
The WMO also noted that this year's El Nino phenomenon could fuel severe wildfires, according to researchers at Imperial College London and the World Weather Attribution network of climate scientists. In anticipation, the European Union has announced plans to deploy a record number of firefighters and aircraft in high-risk areas spanning Cyprus, Greece, Italy, France, Spain, and Portugal.
Climate change is expected to intensify these effects. According to Reuters, greenhouse gas emissions have increased the planet's average temperature by around 1.3°C since pre-industrial times, supercharging the impacts of El Nino. This combination has led the WMO to warn that 2027 could be the hottest year on record.
UN officials emphasized the need for a shift away from fossil fuels towards renewable energy in response to this warning. “El Nino conditions will pour fuel on the fire of a warming world,” Guterres said. The trend could also lead to increased food prices due to potential crop reductions in key growing regions, affecting global consumers already facing inflation.
How this summary was created
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