Severe El Nino Expected to Peak in December with Record Temperatures

A rapidly strengthening El Nino is forecast to reach record temperatures and peak in December.

What's new · 7h agoOfficial updates confirmed that sea-surface temperature anomalies are projected to reach approximately 3.7°C above normal, setting a new record.

The United Nations weather agency warns that a rapidly strengthening El Nino will intensify further before peaking in December. The phenomenon is projected to reach record sea-surface temperature anomalies, driving extreme weather across the globe and compounding climate change. Forecasters indicate a near-certain probability that these conditions will persist through February 2027.

• The temperature anomalySea-surface temperature anomalies across the central-eastern equatorial Pacific are forecast to reach approximately 3.7°C above normal.
• The historical contextThis event is projected to eclipse the previous record temperature anomaly of 2.6°C set during the 2015 to 2016 El Nino.
• The underlying causeExperts note that the ocean heat driving the phenomenon is drawn from the warmest sea measurements ever recorded.

Written from 4 of 6 outlets — 2 have since joined this story.