UN warns El Niño could trigger more extreme weather worldwide

The United Nations has warned that the rapidly intensifying El Niño phenomenon could significantly worsen global weather conditions in the coming months, raising the risk of heatwaves, droughts, floods and wildfires while driving global temperatures even higher.

The warning was highlighted in a report published by Al Jazeera on Friday (July 31), citing the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).

According to the WMO, El Niño is expected to become the dominant driver of global weather patterns over the next several months, increasing the likelihood of extreme climate events across multiple regions.

The UN weather agency said the climate phenomenon, coupled with widespread wildfires already burning in several parts of the world, could further intensify atmospheric warming and contribute to increasingly volatile weather conditions.

In its latest assessment, the WMO warned that the evolving El Niño is likely to heighten the frequency and severity of extreme heat, prolonged drought, heavy rainfall and flooding, posing growing risks to communities, agriculture, water resources and ecosystems worldwide.

The agency urged governments and disaster management authorities to strengthen preparedness measures and closely monitor evolving weather patterns to reduce the potential human and economic impacts of extreme climate events.