Kathmandu— The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has warned that El Nino could become the strongest event since records began four decades ago, with the UN chief stating the world is in the 'danger zone of extreme weather,' as the naturally-occurring climate phenomenon is set to intensify through February 2025 and continue affecting global weather patterns well into 2027.

Record-Breaking Intensity Forecast

The WMO's chief, Celeste Saulo, stated that if current trends continue, the upcoming El Nino event may surpass all previous recorded instances, declaring it 'off the charts' for the past four decades. The phenomenon, which warms surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean, is expected to peak toward the end of 2024, with the agency noting an 'exceptionally high likelihood of nearly 100 percent' that it will persist through February 2025.

Current measurements show sea surface temperature anomalies in the central eastern equatorial Pacific have strengthened from an average of 1.5°C above normal between May and July to weekly values ranging from 2.2°C to 2.6°C above average between late July and mid-August, indicating continued intensification. In some areas, subsurface ocean temperatures were more than 8°C above average during July and early August.

The WMO has urged disaster management authorities and climate-sensitive sectors to prepare immediately for escalating impacts, with Saulo emphasizing there is 'no time to lose' in getting ready for the expected disruptions.

(With inputs from RN)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.