"British Met Office: The El Niño phenomenon currently forming will be the strongest in modern history" - Sarmad

The UK Met Office said on Friday that the El Niño weather phenomenon currently forming is likely to be the strongest in modern history, according to Reuters news agency.

El Niño is a periodic climate phenomenon characterized by rising sea surface temperatures in the eastern Pacific Ocean due to weakened trade winds.

It occurs naturally every two to seven years and typically lasts between nine and twelve months. Its impact on global weather can threaten crops around the world.

The Met Office stated that 2026 will be remembered for witnessing the worst El Niño in living memory, and is likely to be the largest of its kind since the 19th century.

The agency added that 2027 is strongly poised to surpass 2024 as the hottest year on record.

Latest forecasts indicate that sea surface temperatures in the tropical Pacific region will rise by more than three degrees Celsius later this year.

El Niño typically causes temperature increases ranging from one to two degrees Celsius, with a rise of two degrees Celsius considered a major climate event.