WMO warns of unprecedentedly strong El Niño event

El Niño is a climate phenomenon that occurs at irregular intervals and is characterized by an unusual warming of the surface waters in the tropical Pacific. The phenomenon alters weather patterns worldwide and can lead to droughts, floods, heatwaves, and altered precipitation distributions. According to the WMO, current measurements point to an event that could exceed all previous comparative values in terms of its strength.

The warning is directed at states, development banks, and international financial institutions. The United Nations has supported the appeal and emphasized the urgency of preventive measures. The aim is to prepare vulnerable regions for extreme weather events at an early stage and to cushion the consequences for populations, infrastructure, and harvests.

Potential impacts on Europe

Europe could also be affected by the impacts. Experience shows that a strong El Niño event alters the large-scale weather patterns over the European continent, which can manifest itself, among other things, in milder winters or unusually dry summers. According to the WMO, however, the precise regional effects can only be predicted more accurately as the phenomenon progresses.

Scientific institutions around the world have been observing developments in the Pacific for weeks with growing concern. The combination of record-high sea surface temperatures and the expected El Niño effect is considered by experts to be a dangerous interaction that could increase the frequency of weather extremes worldwide.

International call to action

The WMO is calling on governments to strengthen their early warning systems and update disaster preparedness plans. Developing countries, which often have limited adaptive capacities, are said to be a particular focus according to the organization. International aid programs are to provide financial resources for precautionary and relief measures.

Climate scientists also see the current temperature rise in the Pacific in the context of human-made climate change. Warmer oceans, they say, intensify the strength of climate phenomena such as El Niño and increase the risk of extreme weather events. The WMO emphasizes that only rapid, coordinated action can mitigate the consequences.

The weather organization intends to further specify its forecasts in the coming weeks. Regular updates are intended to help states and institutions continuously adapt their measures. The period between October and March is considered a crucial phase for the further development of the phenomenon.

Further forecasts and updates

Saulo stressed that the coming months will be decisive in testing global response capacity. "The better prepared we are, the lower the damages," was the WMO Secretary-General's core message. She appealed to all actors to consistently share knowledge and resources.

According to the WMO, it will publish updated regional forecasts in the coming weeks together with national weather services. These are intended to serve as a basis for concrete preparations, particularly for agriculture, water management, and health authorities.

International observers regard the warning as a wake-up call to the global community. The coming weeks and months will show whether the necessary preparations can be made in time to cushion the expected impacts of the record-strong El Niño.