El Nino and predicted above-normal sea-surface temperatures over much of the global oceans are expected to lead to above-normal temperatures over almost all land areas in the next three months, the United Nations said on Tuesday.
A new Update from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) says there is about a 60 percent chance of El Nino persisting during March-May and a 80 percent chance of neutral conditions (neither El Niño or La Niña) in April to June.
There is a chance of La Niña developing later in the year, but the odds are currently uncertain, WMO said.
What is El Nino?
El Nino occurs on average every two to seven years, and typically lasts nine to 12 months.
It is a naturally occurring climate pattern associated with warming of the ocean surface in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean.
It influences weather and storm patterns in different parts of the world. But it takes place in the context of a climate being changed by human activities.
GreenHouse gas
Referring to the impact of GreenHouse gas, WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo said, “Every month since June 2023 has set a new monthly temperature record – and 2023 was by far the warmest year on record. El Niño has contributed to these record temperatures, but heat-trapping greenhouse gases are unequivocally the main culprit.”
“Ocean surface temperatures in the equatorial Pacific clearly reflect El Niño. But sea surface temperatures in other parts of the globe have been persistently and unusually high for the past 10 months. The January 2024 sea-surface temperature was by far the highest on record for January. This is worrying and can not be explained by El Nino alone,” says Celeste Saulo.
El Nino typically has the greatest impact on the global climate in the second year of its development – in this instance 2024.
The continuing, albeit weaker, El Nino and predicted above-normal sea-surface temperatures over much of the global oceans are expected to lead to above-normal temperatures over almost all land areas in the next three months, and influence regional rainfall patterns, according to a Global Seasonal Climate Update issued by WMO to accompany its El Nino/La Nina Update
Early warnings save lives
The current El Nino event, which developed in June 2023, was at its strongest between November and January.
It displayed a peak value of about 2.0°C above the 1991 to 2020 average sea surface temperature for the eastern and central tropical Pacific Ocean.
This made it one of the five strongest El Nino events ever, though it was weaker than the 1997/98 and 2015/2016 events.
El Nino is mainly a seasonal climate phenomenon with climate impacts on seasonal climate averages but can make extreme weather and climate-events more likely in certain regions.
Furthermore, the seasonal forecasts are found to be more accurate during El Nino and La Nina events, particularly in the tropics, and this emphasizes the pivotal role of early warnings to support decision-making and enhance preparedness and anticipatory action.
El Nino is associated with increased rainfall triggering flooding in the Horn of Africa and the southern United States of America, and unusually dry and warm conditions in South East Asia, Australia and southern Africa.
It has exacerbated drought in northern South America and has also contributed to drier and warmer conditions in parts of southern Africa.
“El Nino events have a major impact on societies and economies. Accurate seasonal forecasts from the WMO community helped countries prepare in advance to try to limit the damage in climate sensitive sectors like agriculture, water resources and health. Early warnings of weather and climate extremes associated with El Niño have saved countless lives,” said Celeste Saulo.
Global Seasonal Climate Update
El Nino and La Nina are major – but not the only – drivers of the Earth’s climate system.
In addition to the long-established ENSO Update, WMO now also issues regular Global Seasonal Climate Updates (GSCU), which incorporate influences of other climate phenomenon such as the North Atlantic Oscillation, the Arctic Oscillation and the Indian Ocean Dipole.
The Global Seasonal Climate Update says that Positive temperature anomalies are expected over almost the entire Northern Hemisphere except in the far south-eastern part of North America, as well as over most of the land areas in the Southern Hemisphere.
Predictions for rainfall in the forthcoming three months (March to May) are similar to some of the canonical rainfall patterns associated with El Nino.
The WMO El Nino/La NIna and Global Seasonal Climate Updates as part of the Early Warnings for All initiative are based on forecasts from WMO Global Producing Centres of Long-Range Forecasts and are available to support governments, the United Nations, humanitarian agencies and decision-makers to mobilize preparations and protect lives and livelihoods.
National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) will closely monitor the situation in the months to come and provide updated outlooks on the dissipation of El Niño and the possible development of La Nina.
Uncertainty is typically greater in long-lead forecasts made during the boreal spring and early summer .
