WMO Forecasts El Niño Return by Mid-2026 Amid Rising Sea Temperatures

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has indicated a strong likelihood of El Niño conditions returning, with a clear shift observed in the Equatorial Pacific due to rapidly rising sea-surface temperatures. Climate models suggest these conditions could emerge as early as May-July 2026. The WMO forecasts this phenomenon, which is characterized by naturally occurring warming of sea surface temperatures, could lead to nearly global dominance of above-normal land surface temperatures and notable regional variations in rainfall distribution. Some projections suggest potential impacts could extend for several months, influencing weather patterns across various regions.