Climate experts are warning that a powerful El Niño event could develop during the second half of the year, potentially becoming one of the strongest on record.
According to seasonal climate models, the phenomenon may contribute to more extreme weather events around the world. Chief meteorologist and climate specialist Jeff Berardelli told WFLA-TV that the world could witness weather conditions “not seen in modern history.”
The World Meteorological Organization stated that the expected El Niño may influence global temperatures and rainfall patterns later this year. However, officials also noted that spring forecasts remain more difficult to model accurately.
El Niño is a periodic warming of surface waters in the equatorial Pacific Ocean that affects global weather systems. Its opposite phase, La Niña, is associated with cooler ocean temperatures.
Experts say warm water currently building in the Pacific Ocean is moving eastward and rising toward the surface, signaling the early stages of the phenomenon. WMO representative Wilfran Moufouma Okia stated that sea surface temperatures are increasing rapidly and that confidence is growing that El Niño conditions will strengthen in the coming months.
Climate scientist Daniel Swain noted that deep ocean heat content is approaching historically high levels, while climatologist Michael Mann emphasized that long-term global warming driven by fossil fuel emissions remains the larger underlying concern.
Scientists warn that the phenomenon could contribute to extreme heat, droughts, heavy flooding, and record global temperatures, although it may also weaken the Atlantic hurricane season.
