Met Office warns unprecedented El Niño could bring stormy autumn to UK

The Met Office has warned of an unprecedented El Niño event, described by long-range forecasting head Adam Scaife as potentially the largest in living memory, possibly not seen since the 19th century. This natural climate pattern, driven by unusually warm Pacific Ocean temperatures, is expected to disrupt global weather patterns.

In the UK and north-west Europe, the phenomenon may increase the likelihood of wetter and stormier conditions during the autumn and early winter. Such weather poses significant risks to transport, particularly for island communities like Shetland, where frequent ferry delays and cancellations could occur. This follows a period where NorthLink Ferries reported its worst weather-related disruption in 13 years.