El Niño set to be 'strongest in living memory', says Met Office
Summary
The UK Met Office says the current El Niño event developing in the Pacific Ocean could be the strongest in living memory. This natural climate pattern raises global temperatures and changes weather around the world, with effects like less rain in India, fewer hurricanes in the Atlantic, and a possibly wetter, stormier autumn in the UK.Key Facts
- El Niño happens every 2 to 7 years and usually lasts about a year.
- It occurs when trade winds weaken or reverse, pushing warm Pacific Ocean water eastwards.
- Scientists look for sea temperatures at least 0.5°C above average to declare El Niño.
- Current sea temperatures are over 2°C above normal and may exceed 3°C later this year, a historic high.
- Warm ocean water up to 8°C above normal at certain depths is fueling this strong event.
- El Niño often causes below-average monsoon rains in South Asia and fewer hurricanes in the Atlantic.
- It increases risks of drought and fires in Australia and flooding in parts of South America and the U.S.
- The UK might face more wet and stormy weather this autumn due to El Niño.
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