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El Niño phenomenon intensifies with record-breaking ocean temperatures
The El Niño phenomenon is intensifying, with scientists and international organizations warning of a potentially historic event. Observations from NASA and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) indicate that equatorial Pacific waters are up to 1.7°C warmer than average, with sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific potentially reaching 3.8°C above long-term averages.
There is an 83% probability that this episode will be the most intense since 1950. The phenomenon is driven by the warming of surface waters and the weakening of trade winds, which disrupts global atmospheric circulation. This shift is expected to cause significant climatic variations, including extreme droughts in some regions and heavy rainfall and flooding in others.
In South America, countries like Peru and Ecuador are facing immediate risks. Peru anticipates intense rainfall starting in November, with potential daily accumulations of up to 300mm in northern coastal areas. In Ecuador, warmer sea temperatures have already contributed to flooding in several provinces. Meanwhile, in Brazil, the phenomenon is exacerbating severe drought conditions, particularly in the Acre region.
Entities
Celeste Saulo · Copernicus Climate Change Service · El Niño · Keiko Fujimori · NASA · NOAA · National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration · Niño 3.4 region · Pacific Ocean · World Meteorological Organization
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Sea levels near Indonesia and northern Australia are 15 to 20 centimeters below normal. sapo.pt
- [● 2 SOURCES] NASA satellites have detected equatorial Pacific waters up to 1.7 °C warmer than average. diarioprimerahora.com · sapo.pt
- [● 3 SOURCES] El Niño is characterized by the weakening of trade winds. diarioprimerahora.com · sapo.pt · metrotoday.it
- [● 2 SOURCES] The PACE satellite observed a more blue color in equatorial regions, indicating a reduction in phytoplankton. sapo.pt · diarioprimerahora.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Sea levels in certain areas of the eastern Pacific are 30 to 40 centimeters above normal. sapo.pt · diarioprimerahora.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] NOAA estimates an 83% probability that this El Niño episode will be the most intense since 1950. diarioprimerahora.com · sciencepost.fr · www.prensalibre.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] The Niño 3.4 region recorded a sea surface temperature average of 29.7°C in September. correiodeminas.com.br · eleconomista.com.ar
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The El Niño phenomenon is expected to reach its peak intensity between November 2026 and January 2027. ndmais.com.br
- [○ 1 SOURCE] September 2026 was the second warmest month on record globally. eleconomista.com.ar
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Peruvian Executive Branch approved guidelines for managing corpses and human remains during disasters.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Fairtrade is increasing the minimum banana price by 5.6% in 2027 to build resilience against El Niño. www.freshplaza.es
- [DISPUTED] Peru is expected to face a Meganiño due to temperatures exceeding previous episodes.