Geneva (AFP) - The World Meteorological Organization announced Thursday that the "El Niño" phenomenon has become "firmly stable" and will intensify in the coming months, with a "close to 100 percent" probability that it will continue until February 2027.

Published on: 03/09/2026 - 09:19

The organization issued a new warning, explaining that “El Niño has stabilized steadily and will increase in intensity over the coming months, with major repercussions on rainfall patterns and temperatures, with the accompanying risks of floods, droughts, and extreme heat waves.”

In turn, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres warned Thursday that “El Niño” is entering the world into a “high-risk zone” that may witness extreme weather phenomena.

Guterres said in a statement, "Science leaves no room for doubt. The planet is entering the unknown, and waters are getting hotter. Sea surface temperatures have reached unprecedented levels and continue to rise, and we find ourselves in a high-risk zone where extreme weather events become the new norm."

He added, "The race is now between increasing risks and our commitment to taking climate action and protecting people. We must win this race."

El Niño is a natural weather phenomenon and is not caused by climate change.

But scientists expect that it will increase the temperature of the planet, which is already witnessing rapid warming due to the burning of fossil fuels, and will lead to the exacerbation of extreme weather events.

© 2026 AFP

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