The world must prepare for a potentially strong El Nino in 2026, a global weather agency warns, which could worsen droughts and increase the risk of heatwaves.
The United Nations weather agency forecasts a moderate or possibly strong El Nino that could drive up global temperatures and increase the risk of extreme weather over the coming months.
El Nino is a periodic warming of sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean, which typically lasts between nine and 12 months, according to the World Meteorological Organisation.
The WMO said warm ocean waters were driving El Nino’s development and predicted above-average temperatures in most parts of the world from June to August.
The WMO said it was likely El Nino would continue until November.
