El Nino could cause record Pacific temperature rise, UN says
SPY•The El Nino event could drive central Pacific temperatures about 3.8 degrees Celsius above normal between November and January, peaking around December, the WMO said. UN officials warned of extreme heat, droughts and floods, with about 50 million people potentially facing increased hunger.
1. Record warmth forecast
The World Meteorological Organization’s seasonal outlook predicts El Nino will become extremely strong, with central Pacific temperatures rising about 3.8 degrees Celsius above normal between November and January and peaking around December. WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo said the organization’s records had not previously shown a rise of 3.8 degrees.
2. Risks across regions
The WMO said flooding risks could rise in southern Africa from November, while warmer conditions and a lack of rainfall in Southeast Asia could affect agriculture and water supplies. Latin America could see increased rainfall. El Nino is a natural climate pattern that influences weather worldwide; global warming can make El Ninos more intense.
3. Humanitarian concerns
UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher called the event a “wrecking ball” and warned it could bring extreme heat, droughts and floods across Latin America, Eastern and Southern Africa, Asia and the Pacific. He said about 50 million people could face increased hunger.
