The United Nations weather agency has raised its forecast for the rapid emergence of a strong El Nino in the coming months, warning that the phenomenon is likely to drive global temperatures higher.

What is El Nino?

El Nino is a periodic warming of sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean, which typically lasts between nine and 12 months, that can drive up global temperatures and increase the risk of extreme weather.

According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), El Nino conditions have emerged in the Equatorial Pacific, and there is a remarkable agreement between forecast models that this will be a strong El Nino.

The intensity of El Nino is important because it increases the likelihood of extreme weather and climate events in different parts of the world.

Global Impact

Seasonal forecasts indicate a strong and robust typical pattern of El Nino, including drier than normal conditions in parts of the world, such as Central America, Caribbean, North and South America, and drier patterns in South Asia during the monsoon season in parts of Indonesia and South East Asia.

El Nino will also give an extra boost to global temperatures. We know that during El Nino years the global temperatures normally reach record levels.

Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.