METEOROLOGISTS WARNED ON STRONG EL NINO AND TEMPERATURE RISE

GENEVA, JUNE 2 /SRNA-Reuters/ - The World Meteorological Organization /WMO/ forecast 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 Organization.

The WMO said warm ocean waters were fueling El Nino's development and predicted above-average temperatures in most parts of the world from June to August.

It says it is likely that El Nino will continue until November.

"We need to prepare for a potentially strong El Niño event - which will exacerbate drought and heavy rainfall and increase the risk of heatwaves both on land and in the ocean," said WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo.

She added that the most recent El Nino, in 2023-24, contributed to 2024 being the hottest year on record.

The weather pattern is ​known to disrupt regional climates, potentially bringing increased ​rainfall ⁠to southern South America, the southern United States, parts of the Horn of Africa and central Asia, while causing drought ⁠in ​Australia, central America, Indonesia, and sections of southern ​Asia.

It can also have a warming effect on the global climate, and fuel hurricanes in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean, the ​WMO said.