The United Nations World Meteorological Organization warned on June 2, 2024, that a potentially strong El Niño could increase the risk of extreme weather [1].
This development matters because the phenomenon can raise global temperatures and intensify the frequency of destructive weather events, threatening infrastructure and food security worldwide [1, 2].
Speaking from the WMO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, officials said that the moderate to strong El Niño currently developing could lead to more severe storms, heatwaves, and flooding [1]. The organization said that the atmospheric changes associated with this cycle often create volatile conditions across different continents [2].
"The risk of extreme weather events is higher this year because of a potentially strong El Niño, which could push global temperatures higher," Petteri Taalas, WMO Secretary-General, said [1].
UN Secretary-General António Guterres also said that the impacts of these shifts could be more intense than in previous cycles. Guterres said potential impacts, including floods, drought, and heatwaves, could "hit even harder" this year [2].
A WMO spokesperson said that a strong El Niño could drive global temperatures higher and increase the frequency of extreme weather events [3]. The agency is urging member nations to prepare for these shifts to mitigate the loss of life and property.
The warning comes as the international community monitors sea-surface temperature anomalies that signal the strength of the El Niño phase. Because these patterns disrupt traditional rainfall and temperature norms, the WMO continues to track the progression of the event to provide updated forecasts for vulnerable regions [1, 2].
“The risk of extreme weather events is higher this year because of a potentially strong El Niño.”
The WMO's warning underscores the compounding effect of natural climate cycles and long-term global warming. While El Niño is a recurring weather pattern, its interaction with rising baseline temperatures can amplify the severity of heatwaves and floods, placing additional pressure on global disaster response systems and agricultural stability.
