EnvironmentThursday, 22 October 2026·The Hindu - International
WMO warns El Niño may peak at unprecedented strength in Nov 2026-Jan 2027
The WMO said the current El Niño could be unprecedented in strength, with Pacific sea-surface temperatures projected to rise 3.8°C above average.
Key highlights
Direct fact
On October 21, 2026, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said the current El Niño over the tropical Pacific could be unprecedented in strength, with peak impacts expected toward the end of 2026.
Key specifics
- WMO said sea-surface temperatures in the tropical Pacific may rise to 3.8°C above average during November 2026 to January 2027.
- The WMO defines El Niño when the sea-surface temperature anomaly reaches 0.5°C in this region.
- WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo said the event is “off the monitoring charts” used for the past 4 decades.
- El Niño is one phase of ENSO, the El Niño Southern Oscillation, along with La Niña and the neutral phase.
- WMO said a very strong El Niño can cause drought, flooding and increased heat across many regions.
Exam lens
TNPSC Environment and reports-based question: know the WMO, the 0.5°C El Niño threshold, the 3.8°C forecast, and the ENSO phases; a likely MCQ asks which climate phenomenon has El Niño, La Niña and neutral phases.