Pacific El Niño reaches record temperatures ahead of expected peak

A powerful El Niño phenomenon is developing in the tropical Pacific, with sea surface temperatures reaching historic highs before its expected peak. Recent data shows temperature anomalies in the Niño 3.4 region reached approximately 3.05°C above the 1991-2020 average, surpassing the previous record set during the 2015 event.

Scientists are expressing concern as the phenomenon may intensify. Some models suggest a potential peak of +4°C around November 2026. Because temperatures exceeding 2°C are classified as a ‘Super El Niño,’ the current event is being monitored for its potential to disrupt global weather, economies, and food security.

While the phenomenon originates in the Pacific, its impact is global. The shift in wind patterns allows warmer waters to move eastward, releasing heat into the atmosphere and altering large-scale atmospheric patterns. This can lead to unpredictable weather shifts in distant regions, including Europe.