<
https://reneweconomy.com.au/un-says-el-nino-will-pour-fuel-on-the-fire-of-a-warming-world-urges-rapid-shift-from-fossil-fuels/>
"The world must prepare for a potentially strong El Nino in 2026, a global
weather agency warns, which could worsen droughts and increase the risk of
heatwaves.
The United Nations weather agency forecasts a moderate or possibly strong El
Nino that could drive up global temperatures and increase the risk of extreme
weather over the coming months.
El Nino is a periodic warming of sea surface temperatures in the central and
eastern Pacific Ocean, which typically lasts between nine and 12 months,
according to the World Meteorological Organisation.
The WMO said warm ocean waters were driving El Nino’s development and predicted
above-average temperatures in most parts of the world from June to August.
The WMO said it was likely El Nino would continue until November.
“We need to prepare for a potentially strong El Nino event – which will
exacerbate drought and heavy rainfall and increase the risk of heatwaves both
on land and in the ocean,” WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo said on
Tuesday.
The weather pattern is known to disrupt regional climates, potentially
bringing warmer temperatures across the globe, while increasing rainfall to
southern South America, the southern United States, parts of the Horn of
Africa and central Asia.
It can also cause drought in Australia, central America, Indonesia, and
sections of southern Asia, and lead to the formation of hurricanes in the
central and eastern Pacific Ocean, the WMO said.
The most recent El Nino, in 2023-24, contributed to making 2024 the hottest
year on record, Saulo said.
“Extreme heat alone is already one of the deadliest climate hazards we face,
and an El Nino event could intensify the threat,” Saulo said.
The risks include more heat-related illness, a wider spread of vector-borne
diseases and increased pressure on food and water systems.
“Communities that were already struggling will be pushed farther beyond their
limits,” she said."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
