The UN's weather agency has warned that the current El Nino could be exceptionally strong, saying forecasts show a 100% likelihood it will persist through February.
Key facts
- The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) issued the warning.
- Forecasts show a 100% likelihood El Nino will continue through February.
- The UN cautioned the event could be 'off the charts' and among the strongest in decades.
- Reported by Al Jazeera on 3 September 2026.
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has warned that the current El Nino climate pattern could be one of the strongest in decades, describing the potential event as ‘off the charts’, according to Al Jazeera.
The UN weather agency said forecasts show a 100% likelihood that El Nino will continue through February, indicating a high degree of confidence that the pattern will persist over the coming months.
El Nino is a naturally occurring climate phenomenon associated with warming of surface waters in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean, and it can influence weather patterns across large parts of the globe.
The WMO’s assessment, as reported by Al Jazeera, points to an event that could rank among the most significant in recent history, though the source text does not provide additional detail on specific regional impacts or numerical thresholds.
The warning underscores the confidence forecasters place in the pattern’s continuation, with the 100% likelihood figure highlighting the strength of the current outlook through February.
Why it matters
El Nino events can reshape global weather, affecting rainfall, droughts and temperatures across many regions. A warning that this event could be among the strongest in decades signals potential disruption that governments and communities may need to prepare for.
Frequently asked questions
How long is El Nino expected to last?
According to the WMO, forecasts show a 100% likelihood that El Nino will continue through February.
How strong could this El Nino be?
The WMO warned it could be 'off the charts' and among the strongest in decades, according to Al Jazeera.
Who issued the warning?
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the UN's weather agency, issued the warning.