United Nations warns El Nino weather event will peak in December

The United Nations warned on Thursday that the El Nino weather phenomenon will intensify before peaking in December 2026. According to France 24, the UN weather and climate agency stated that the natural event will bring higher temperatures across much of the planet and compound the impact of human made climate change. [1][2][3]

France 24 reported that the ongoing weather pattern could rank among the strongest witnessed since at least 1950. The event is set to continue intensifying in the coming months before reaching its maximum strength late in the year. [1]

El Nino Southern Oscillation is a global climate pattern that stems from shifts in winds and ocean surface temperatures across the tropical Pacific Ocean. The warming phase of sea surface temperatures is called El Nino, while the cooling phase is known as La Nina. The ongoing 2026 to 2027 El Nino event began on 2 June 2026, when the World Meteorological Organization officially declared its onset. [4][5]

The World Meteorological Organization stated that the current event is the strongest El Nino ever recorded for its time of year and has been classified as a super El Nino. The organization reported that it will likely become the strongest El Nino on record, with the peak expected in November or December and impacts lasting into early 2027. [5]