“Be prepared” / UN warning: 2027 could be the hottest year in decades

The United Nations has warned that a new phase of the El Niño climate phenomenon could begin within weeks and intensify during 2026, significantly raising global temperatures at a time when the planet is already facing the impacts of climate change.

According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), there are indications that this El Niño could develop into one of the strongest ever recorded, with the possibility of reaching so-called “super El Niño” levels, bringing more extreme weather events to many regions of the world.

Scientists are monitoring the warming of waters in the central Pacific, where recent changes show a shift from below-average temperatures to marked warming, a typical signal of El Niño formation.

El Niño occurs when changes in wind patterns allow warm waters to spread across the tropical Pacific Ocean, affecting the global weather system.

Experts emphasize that large masses of very warm water, in some areas exceeding average temperatures by more than 6°C, are moving across the Pacific depths, which could further strengthen the phenomenon in the coming months.

“We are confident that a major event is approaching, it could even be record-breaking,” said Professor Adam Scaife from the UK Met Office.

Scientists say that when sea surface temperatures rise more than 0.5°C above average for a prolonged period, conditions for El Niño are created, while above 2°C it is considered a “super El Niño.” Since 1950, only a few such cases have been recorded.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned that El Niño will intensify the impacts of global warming, stressing that its consequences will be stronger and more widespread across the world.

According to experts, a strong El Niño typically brings droughts and high temperatures in South America, Southeast Asia, and Australia, as well as an increased risk of wildfires. It can also weaken the monsoons in India and cause droughts in East Africa, while in the southern United States it may increase the risk of flooding.

In Europe, including the United Kingdom, El Niño can influence milder winters at the beginning and colder conditions later on, although its impact is more limited.

In the past, the phenomenon has been linked to rising food prices and major global economic losses due to damage to agriculture and supply chains.

However, scientists stress that the exact impact remains uncertain, as El Niño depends heavily on wind patterns, which are difficult to predict in the long term.

Experts also warn that even if the phenomenon does not reach “super” levels, its impact could still be severe, as it is occurring on a planet already significantly warmed by human activity.

According to forecasts, 2027 could be among the hottest years ever recorded globally.

“KORÇA BOOM”