El Niño's Climate Impact: Urgent Warnings and Global Effects
El Niño warms central and eastern equatorial Pacific.
Conditions oscillate between El Niño and La Niña every 2-7 years.
Sub-surface temps in equatorial Pacific were 6C above average.
Southern Oscillation Index confirmed developing El Niño.
United Nations Chief Antonio Guterres called it an "urgent climate warning.". WMO Chief Celeste Saulo warned it could exacerbate drought, heavy rainfall, and heatwaves.
Regional climate centers predict below-normal rainfall in northern Greater Horn of Africa and south Asia during rainy season.
Drier summer conditions in central America.
Forecasts project above-normal temperatures globally through August.
Previous El Niño contributed to 2024 reaching 1.55C above pre-industrial levels.
WMO found no evidence climate change increases El Niño frequency.
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