The El Niño phenomenon, a natural climate pattern that warms surface temperatures in the central and eastern parts of the equatorial Pacific Ocean, is expected to intensify over the coming months, reaching its peak in December before continuing until February 2027, according to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), an UN agency. The current El Niño, declared in June, could become the most intense ever recorded, amplifying the effects of human-caused climate change. In its latest seasonal climate bulletin, the WMO noted that sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific are expected to reach "record levels in October, November and December, reflecting the intensification of the El Niño episode." This phenomenon is likely to lead to above-average global temperatures and altered precipitation patterns, increasing the risk of droughts and floods in various regions. WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo stated that the probability of El Niño persisting until February 2027 is close to 100%, which could make it one of the most intense episodes since at least 1950. This forecast is based on a consensus among thirteen national and international centers, using real-time data from oceanographic buoys, satellites, and radiosondes coordinated by the WMO. The WMO also noted that the Earth experienced its hottest August ever recorded, with sea surface temperatures in the "Niño 3.4 region," a key reference zone in the Pacific, rising significantly in recent months. Temperatures in this area have increased from an average of +1.6°C above normal in June 2026 to +2.5°C above normal in August, and are expected to reach approximately +3.7°C by December, the highest level since observations began. El Niño does not add new heat to the planet; instead, it releases heat that the ocean has already stored beneath the surface. This is why strong El Niño events often lead to record-breaking global temperatures, such as in 2024. Celeste Saulo explained that the ocean from which El Niño draws its heat is the warmest ever observed, meaning there is more heat ready to be released. The WMO also considers other factors in its forecasts, such as tropical Atlantic sea surface temperatures, which are expected to remain above average. El Niño is already causing extreme weather conditions around the world. In Central America, a severe drought is leading to dry fields, reduced harvests, and losses in livestock. In India, strong disruptions to the monsoon season are affecting crops and threatening food security. As the phenomenon continues to intensify, its impacts are expected to be felt across multiple regions, with significant consequences for both the environment and human populations.