GENEVA, October 24, 2026 — The World Meteorological Organization has warned that an emerging El Niño could bring an exceptional rise in Pacific Ocean temperatures and increase the risk of weather extremes in different regions.

A seasonal outlook released by the UN weather agency predicts that the warm phase of the El Niño–Southern Oscillation could become extremely strong. Reuters reported that central Pacific temperatures could rise about 3.8°C above normal between November and January, with the event potentially peaking around December.

WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo said the projected anomaly would exceed levels seen in some previous major El Niño events. The agency cautioned that the pattern could have substantial effects on weather systems across the globe.

El Niño is a naturally occurring climate pattern that alters ocean temperatures and atmospheric circulation. Its effects vary by region, but it can contribute to drought in some areas, heavier rainfall in others and shifts in seasonal temperatures.

Forecasters and emergency planners will be watching the outlook closely as the event develops. Early preparation can help governments assess risks to agriculture, water supplies, public health and infrastructure, although local impacts depend on regional conditions.

The warning does not mean that every country will experience the same conditions or that a particular disaster is certain. It signals a heightened need for monitoring, clear public information and readiness to respond to possible extremes.

Source: Reuters report on the WMO outlook, October 21, 2026. Featured image is an illustrative landscape photograph.