Washington: The world may face intense heat next year due to the formation of El Niño in the Pacific Ocean. Meteorological experts say that the development of El Niño could push global temperatures to record levels by 2027. If this happens, the year 2027 would be significantly hotter than the past three years, which have already been recorded as the warmest in history.
According to The Guardian, weather agencies and climate scientists have predicted the possibility of El Niño forming in the Pacific Ocean by the end of this year. This event could drive global temperatures to their highest levels ever recorded by 2027, with direct impacts felt across the world.
El Niño Likely to Form by Year-End
Experts told The Guardian that it is too early to make any definite claims. However, patterns in the spread of sea surface temperatures in the Pacific indicate that El Niño could develop in 2026.
The U.S. government’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology have stated that climate models are predicting the emergence of El Niño. Both agencies have issued warnings, though they admit there are uncertainties in these forecasts.
How El Niño Develops
The cycle of ocean temperatures in the Pacific Ocean is closely linked to extreme weather events worldwide. When warmer-than-average water accumulates in the eastern equatorial Pacific and spreads toward the coast of the Americas, the phenomenon is known as El Niño. This leads to a rise in global temperatures.
Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology said that some models suggest El Niño could begin forming as early as June. The U.S. agency has also indicated that the likelihood of El Niño is increasing. Climate scientist Andrew Watkins noted that a large amount of warm water has already accumulated in the western tropical Pacific.
Fifty-Fifty Chance of El Niño
Associate Professor Andrea Taschetto, an ENSO expert at the University of New South Wales, said that La Niña is currently weakening, with warm water located closer to Australia. Predicting what happens next remains difficult.
She added that there is currently about a 50/50 chance of El Niño developing between June and August, or conditions remaining ENSO-neutral. However, if El Niño does occur, it would be a serious concern, as the last three years have already been the hottest ever recorded on Earth.