El Nino pushes Pacific waters to record high September temperature

An intensifying El Nino pushed sea surface temperatures in a key Pacific monitoring region to a record 29.70 degrees Celsius in September, France 24 reported on October 12, citing the European Union Copernicus climate service. Forecasters expect the weather pattern to become the strongest ever observed, as it exacerbates global warming and raises risks of drought and flood. [1]

The El Nino Southern Oscillation is a global climate phenomenon that arises from variations in winds and sea surface temperatures over the tropical Pacific Ocean. The warming phase of the sea surface temperature is known as El Nino, while the cooling phase is known as La Nina. [2]

As FTMQ News reported earlier, a powerful El Nino event has been strengthening in the Pacific Ocean through 2026. The World Meteorological Organization declared the onset of the event on June 2, 2026. The phenomenon occurs irregularly every two to seven years when waters in the Eastern Pacific warm. [4]

The current El Nino event is projected to reach its peak in December and last into early 2027. Global forecasters had warned for months that the event could become the largest on record. [1][4]