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A very strong El Niño may be approaching. Here’s what it could mean for the world’s weather
El Niño is a recurring climate event with impacts across the globe. It has three phases: one cold (known as La Niña), one neutral, and one warm (El Niño).
In 2026, spring in the northern hemisphere took place in a neutral phase, which followed a relatively mild La Niña. Short-term forecast models indicate that by mid-year it is very likely that we will enter an El Niño phase. This El Niño could become very intense towards the end of the year, with talk of a “super-El Niño”. But what effects might it have? And has something similar happened in the past?
Heat-related deaths 'tip of the iceberg' in India as UN sends El Niño warning
Temperatures have soared across India during an earlier than normal heatwave. (AP Photo: Rajesh Kumar Singh)
Temperatures in India have soared above 45 degrees, sending power usage to record levels as people try to stay cool.
The deadly heatwave has also forced schools to close, people to take days off work, and farmers to work at night.
The United Nations has warned the world to prepare for an El Niño this year, which could worsen drought and heatwaves in some areas and bring heavy rainfall in others.
Temperatures have soared well above 45 degrees Celsius in parts of India as the unseasonal heatwave disrupts daily life and claims lives.
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Australia should prepare for an imminent El Niño, with the Bureau of Meteorology and other agencies forecasting that the weather phenomenon is likely to develop in the coming months.
âThe models are really aligning now,â Felicity Gamble, a senior BoM climatologist, said. âWe are expecting a transition to El Niño sometime during winter.â
The World Meteorological Organization said on Tuesday there was a 90% chance of an El Niño developing in the Pacific before November â a phenomenon that historically has increased the likelihood of hotter and drier conditions for Australiaâs east.
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