started · updated
El Niño intensifies with 75% chance of historic strength
The El Niño phenomenon is intensifying globally, with NOAA reporting a 75% probability of it reaching historic levels of intensity, potentially surpassing records set since 1950. Projections suggest the event could remain very strong through early 2027.
In South America, the impacts are diverse. In Ecuador, the phenomenon threatens the agricultural sector, with over 73,000 hectares of crops like rice, bananas, and cocoa at risk of flooding or landslides. In Panama, excessive rainfall in Bocas del Toro is impacting producers, while a projected rainfall deficit of up to 55% in the second half of 2026 threatens to reduce traffic through the Panama Canal. In Brazil, the federal government has allocated R$ 1.335 billion for emergency response and preparation.
In Asia, the Meteorological and Geophysical Services of Macau warn that El Niño increases the risk of more intense typhoons hitting Macau and southern China. Meanwhile, in Costa Rica, the phenomenon has already reached very strong levels, with sea surface temperature anomalies exceeding 2.5°C.
Entities
Antonio Guterres · Argentina · Brazil · Copernicus Marine Service · Costa Rica · Ecuador · El Niño · Espol · IDEAM · Macau · NOAA · National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 19 SOURCES] Global oceans have recorded 100 consecutive days of unprecedented heat. udgtv.com · www.rfi.fr · elregionaldigital.com.ar · www.expansion.com · mida.gob.pa · +10 more
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The ocean has absorbed 93% of the excess heat trapped on Earth. udgtv.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The current warming event could threaten the food security of 50 million people. www.nationalgeographic.com.es
- [○ 1 SOURCE] António Guterres stated that El Niño is magnifying before their eyes. www.nationalgeographic.com.es
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Ocean temperatures reached 21.17°C as of September 9. www.rfi.fr
- [● 4 SOURCES] The warming is driven by climate change and the El Niño phenomenon. www.nationalgeographic.com.es · www.sudouest.fr · udgtv.com · www.tvn-2.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Tom Pickerell of the World Resources Institute described ocean warming as an economic shock. udgtv.com · www.sudouest.fr · www.tvn-2.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Climate change has made marine heatwaves ten times more intense. udgtv.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Researchers from the University Complutense de Madrid found that Atlantic Ocean patterns can help predict El Niño. www.ilmeteo.net · www.yourweather.co.uk
- [● 3 SOURCES] The WMO suggests the phenomenon could persist until February 2027. www.vosactualites.com · paraonline.com.br · greensavers.sapo.pt
- [○ 1 SOURCE] El Niño has caused crop destruction in Central America's Dry Corridor. canaln.pe
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Sea surface temperatures in the Niño 3.4 zone reached between 2.2°C and 2.6°C above average in mid-August. www.vosactualites.com