A strengthening El Niño weather pattern that could challenge previous records is "adding fuel to a planet already on fire" and pushing the world into "uncharted territory", United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned on Friday. His remarks came as scientists monitor rising ocean temperatures and growing concerns over the impact of the climate phenomenon on global weather patterns. Addressing the United Nations, Guterres said El Niño, which had been expected to arrive earlier, had now become a major factor influencing global climate conditions. "Two months ago, I warned that El Nino was arriving on our doorstep," he said. "Now it is inside the house -- and turning up the heat." He warned that the developing pattern could intensify the effects of already rising global temperatures.
El Niño is a natural climate phenomenon that occurs when surface waters in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean become warmer than usual. This warming affects atmospheric circulation, changing wind patterns, rainfall distribution and temperatures across different regions of the world. Depending on its strength, El Niño can contribute to droughts in some areas, heavier rainfall in others and increased temperatures globally. Scientists have warned that the impact of El Niño is being amplified by human-driven climate change. A warmer atmosphere and ocean provide additional energy and moisture that can increase the intensity of extreme weather events, including heatwaves, heavy rainfall and storms.
While El Niño itself is a naturally occurring cycle, its effects are now unfolding in a world already experiencing record levels of greenhouse gas emissions and rising temperatures. Guterres highlighted recent extreme weather events as evidence of the growing climate challenge. He pointed to record-breaking heatwaves, destructive wildfires in parts of Europe and thousands of deaths linked to extreme heat conditions. The UN chief said the latest scientific assessments suggest that the world could face even more severe climate impacts in the coming months. According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), Pacific Ocean waters linked to the current El Niño event have reached unusually high temperatures. Guterres said sea surface temperatures were averaging around 3 degrees Celsius above normal, raising concerns among climate experts about the potential strength of the phenomenon.
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The WMO has previously noted that El Niño events can significantly influence global temperatures, often contributing to warmer years. Combined with long-term climate change, strong El Niño conditions increase the likelihood of temporary temperature records being broken. Scientists continue to monitor ocean temperatures, atmospheric changes and weather patterns to assess the full impact of the current event. The UN has repeatedly called on governments to accelerate climate action, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions, transitioning to cleaner energy sources and strengthening adaptation measures. Guterres has frequently warned that vulnerable communities, particularly in developing countries, face the greatest risks from climate-related disasters despite contributing the least to global emissions.
As El Niño strengthens, governments and climate agencies are preparing for possible disruptions to agriculture, water supplies, public health and disaster management systems. Experts say early warnings, improved preparedness and stronger climate policies will be essential in reducing the impact of extreme weather events. The latest warning from the UN highlights the growing urgency of addressing climate change while the world faces the combined effects of natural climate variability and human-induced warming. Scientists will continue tracking the El Niño pattern in the coming months to determine whether it reaches record levels and how widely its impacts are felt.
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