El Nino Could Break Records: Pacific Ocean on the Verge of Extreme Temperatures

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) warns that the El Nino climate phenomenon could reach unprecedented intensity, with water temperatures in the tropical Pacific rising as much as 3.8 degrees Celsius above the long-term average. The consequences could include severe droughts and extreme precipitation in various regions across the globe. El Nino could become one of the most intense events ever recorded, as water temperatures in the tropical Pacific Ocean climb to record levels, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) warned on Wednesday, according to the DPA news agency. The organization's Secretary-General, Celeste Saulo, stated in Geneva that water temperatures in this region could surpass all values recorded over the 40 years that such measurements have been taken. According to climate models, ocean temperatures could reach up to 3.8 degrees Celsius above the long-term average, exceeding the previous record of approximately 3 degrees Celsius above the average.

• El Nino can cause droughts and extreme precipitation

El Nino is a natural climate phenomenon that occurs periodically and influences the global distribution of temperatures and precipitation. According to Celeste Saulo, the phenomenon is considered to be underway when water temperatures rise at least 0.5 degrees Celsius above normal levels. Its intensification can have varying effects depending on the region-ranging from severe droughts to heavy rainfall and flooding. The impact is not uniform, and the specific effects experienced depend on local climatic conditions. Europe is, in general, less directly affected by El Nino than other regions of the world, according to information presented by DPA. Temperature trends in the tropical Pacific will be important for assessing the intensity of the phenomenon and its potential effects on the weather in the coming months.