The World Meteorological Organization says the current El Niño event is highly likely to persist until February 2027 and could become one of the strongest on record.
Sea-surface temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific are expected to remain far above normal through the end of 2026.
Global weather risks increase
El Niño can shift rainfall and temperature patterns around the world, raising the risk of drought in some regions and flooding in others.
The event is developing against a backdrop of record ocean heat, which may amplify its impact on global temperatures.
Governments and humanitarian agencies are monitoring the outlook for implications for agriculture, water supplies and extreme weather.
Sources
- World Meteorological Organization, Oct. 8, 2026
- Reuters, Oct. 8, 2026
