UN warns of 'supersized' El Niño as countries prepare for impact and toxic wildfire haze spreads

The United Nations' World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has issued a dire warning regarding an exceptionally strong El Niño event that is currently intensifying and is predicted to persist through February 2027. This phenomenon is expected to reach "very strong" intensity by the end of 2026, with forecasters indicating a near 100% certainty of its continuation into early next year. UN Secretary-General António Guterres described the situation as El Niño being "supersized before our eyes," emphasizing that the planet is entering "uncharted waters" with rising temperatures.

This powerful El Niño is anticipated to bring widespread disruption, including extreme heat, severe droughts, and intense flooding across various global regions. Global average temperatures are projected to be above normal, with some experts suggesting that 2027 could become the hottest year on record. The WMO has initiated a major mobilization effort with national meteorological services to enhance forecasts and early warning systems, aiming to help communities and economies prepare for the "massive blow" this event could deliver.

The natural El Niño cycle, characterized by unusually warm ocean surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific, can be exacerbated by human-induced climate change, intensifying its effects. Already, toxic wildfire haze, fueled by El Niño conditions, has caused significant disruption across Southeast Asia, impacting countries like Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines. The WMO's unequivocal forecast highlights the critical need for global preparedness against the far-reaching climate impacts expected to continue well into 2027.