The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) says the intensifying El Niño phase will bring exceptionally warm tropical Pacific Ocean conditions in the coming months.
In its latest update, the WMO says El Niño is already causing disruption and devastation from droughts and floods in various parts of thre world including the Pacific, and is expected to peak towards the end of this year, with climate impacts continuing well into 2027.
A number of Pacific countries have been experiencing severe drought conditions as a result of the weather pattern.
Data released by the WMO shows a significant build up of smoke from Indonesian forest fires, including in South Papua province, has crossed borders into neighbouring countries including Papua New Guinea and Malaysia.
As the WMO advises regional countries to pay extra heed to weather forecasts and services, the UN Secretary-General António Guterres issued a warning.
He said the science leaves no room for doubt that the planet is in uncharted waters, and that those waters are heating up.
Guterres said sea surface temperatures are rising, stressing that the world is in the danger zone of extreme weather.
“The race now is between rising risks and our commitment to take climate action and protect people. We must win that race,” he said.
