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The Economic Times
The Economic Times
Trending Desk

El Niño officially returns in 2026: WMO warns climate event could strengthen between July and September, raising risk of heatwaves, droughts and heavy rainfall

WMO El Niño Drought Ocean the World Meteorological Organization United Nations Europe Africa

A powerful El Niño event is officially underway, and global weather experts are warning that its effects could be felt across multiple continents in the coming months.

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the United Nations' weather and climate agency, announced on Friday that El Niño has developed in the tropical Pacific Ocean and is expected to strengthen rapidly between July and September 2026. Forecasts suggest sea surface temperatures in parts of the central and eastern equatorial Pacific could rise more than 2°C above average, a level associated with a strong El Niño event.

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