June 17, 2026
Australia's weather bureau warned on Tuesday that an El Nino weather pattern has formed in the tropical Pacific and could intensify in the second half of 2026 to become one of the strongest in seven decades.
Forecasters expect the stronger weather event to bring excessive rains to the Americas and hot, dry conditions in Asia where crop planting is already being disrupted, raising concerns about food supplies in the world's most populous region.
Sea surface temperatures in the region exceeded El Nino thresholds and atmospheric indicators all aligned with the phenomenon, the Bureau of Meteorology said in a statement.
"Forecasts are pointing towards a strong to very strong El Nino event, based on the extent of warming in the central tropical Pacific," it added.
