Super El Niño raises risk of record heat in 2027

The El Niño climate pattern in the Pacific has intensified into a stronger phase, raising concerns about global weather conditions. UN Secretary-General António Guterres said the system could reach peak strength in early 2027. He warned that the event could become one of the strongest El Niño episodes recorded. Read More: Super El Nino threat raises flood fears across Pakistan El Niño typically develops every two to seven years as ocean temperatures rise across the central and eastern Pacific. The current event began developing in June after sea surface temperatures increased by more than two degrees Celsius. The climate pattern usually lasts around 18 months and can significantly influence weather across several regions. US weather authorities have warned that the stronger El Niño could bring extreme rainfall to eastern Africa and South America. Meanwhile, South Asia, Southeast Asia, Australia and southern Africa could face severe drought. El Niño has already contributed to below-average monsoon rainfall in India and Pakistan this year. India's weather department reported that rainfall between June 1 and September 9 was 15% below the country's average. The climate pattern can produce heavy rainfall, flooding and drought in different parts of the world. These changes can also damage crops and create wider food security concerns. Read More: El Niño likely to hit 2026 monsoon season The World Food Programme has warned that El Niño could push at least 49 million additional people toward hunger by the end of 2027. The UN food agency says maize, rice and other rain-dependent crops face significant risks. The World Meteorological Organization also expects above-average temperatures across most regions in coming months. However, experts stress that El Niño impacts vary between events, making long-term forecasts uncertain.