GENEVA, June 5, 2026 – The United Nations’ weather agency has warned that the world should prepare for the return of El Niño, with an 80 percent chance of the climate phenomenon developing between June and August and potentially triggering extreme weather events worldwide. Report BSS/AFP
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said warming ocean waters in the tropical Pacific are driving the shift toward El Niño conditions, with the likelihood rising to more than 90 percent by November.
WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo warned that El Niño could intensify droughts, heavy rainfall and heatwaves across different regions, while increasing climate-related risks for agriculture, water resources, energy and public health.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres described the development as an “urgent climate warning,” calling for stronger global climate action, accelerated renewable energy deployment and improved early warning systems.
According to the WMO, above-normal temperatures are expected across most parts of the world during June-August, while some regions, including parts of Africa and South Asia, may experience below-average rainfall.
Although El Niño is a natural climate cycle, experts say its impacts can be amplified by global warming, leading to more severe weather extremes and economic disruptions.
