On March 5, local time, the World Meteorological Organization issued a report stating that the El Niño phenomenon that occurred from 2023 to 2024 has reached its peak, becoming one of the five strongest El Niño phenomena on record.
El Niño is currently weakening, but will continue to affect global climate in the coming months.
From March to May, temperatures will be above normal in almost all land areas.
The World Meteorological Organization predicts that the probability of El Niño continuing from March to May is about 60%, and the probability of neutral conditions (neither El Niño nor La Niña) from April to June is 80%.
The El Niño phenomenon occurs on average every 2 to 7 years, usually lasting 9 to 12 months, and affects weather changes in many parts of the world.
World Meteorological Organization Secretary-General Celeste Solo said that since June 2023, new monthly temperature records have been set every month, and 2023 is the hottest year on record.
El Niño has contributed to these record temperatures, with heat-trapping greenhouse gases the clear culprit.
El Niño also causes flooding in the Horn of Africa and the southern United States, as well as unusually dry weather in Southeast Asia, Australia and southern Africa, and intensifies drought in northern South America.
Celeste Solo said El Niño has a significant impact on society and the economy.
Early warnings of El Niño-related weather and extreme climate have saved countless lives, and seasonal forecasts provided by the World Meteorological Organization help countries prepare in advance to reduce damage to agriculture, water resources, health and other sectors.
(Headquarters reporter Zhu He)