A powerful El Niño climate pattern is rapidly developing in the Pacific Ocean and is expected to influence South Africa's weather over the coming months. The World Meteorological Organization says there is more than a 90% chance the event will persist until at least November, increasing the risk of extreme heat, drought and veld fires across the country's summer rainfall regions.
Before a single raindrop falls, the Pacific Ocean is already influencing South Africa's weather.
A natural climate pattern known as El Niño, thousands of kilometres away, can affect everything from soaring temperatures and shrinking dams to the risk of devastating veld fires.
Meteorologists have warned that this El Niño could be the strongest on record.
The United Nations' World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has confirmed the rapid onset of a powerful El Niño event, with forecasts indicating sea surface temperatures may rise by over 2°C above average
