WMO forecasts El Nino to reach at least moderate strength

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said in its latest report released on Tuesday that most climate models forecast the current El Nino event will develop into at least a moderate-strength episode and could intensify further in the coming months.

According to monitoring data, sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean have approached the threshold for El Nino formation. Beneath the ocean surface, extensive areas of abnormally warm water have been detected, with temperatures in some regions exceeding the long-term average by more than 6 degrees Celsius. It's expected to provide energy for continued warming over the next several months.

The WMO warned that El Nino is likely to alter global temperature and precipitation patterns, increasing the likelihood of extreme weather events such as heatwaves, droughts, heavy rainfall and flooding.

According to the latest seasonal climate outlook, temperatures across most of the world are expected to remain above average in the coming months. Meanwhile, parts of South Asia, the Horn of Africa and Central America face an elevated risk of below-average rainfall and drought conditions.

Read more: India facing extreme heatwave, WMO warns global temperatures could hit new highs