disaster
World: El Niño is forecast to intensify, increasing likelihood of extreme weather
By World Meteorological Organization at ReliefWeb
· July 3, 2026
· 4 min read
. El Niño and La Niña are opposite phases of the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO); one of the most powerful drivers of year-to-year climate variability. It is a naturally occurring climate patterns characterized by above-average sea-surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacif
Key takeaway It is a naturally occurring climate patterns characterized by above-average sea-surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean.
Why this matters
The forecasted intensification of El Niño poses significant concerns for disaster relief efforts globally, particularly in regions prone to extreme weather events. As a powerful driver of climate variability, El Niño's effects can be far-reaching, with above-average sea-surface temperatures in the equatorial Pacific Ocean influencing global temperatures and precipitation patterns. The predicted above-average temperatures across most land areas between 60°S and 60°N will likely exacerbate droughts, heatwaves, and wildfires, while also increasing the risk of heavy rainfall and flooding in other areas. Faith-based organizations and humanitarian groups, including ECFA-accredited nonprofits, will need to be prepared to respond to these disasters, providing critical support to affected communities. The variability of El Niño's impacts across different regions and the uncertainty of its effects, even when ENSO is neutral, underscore the need for ongoing monitoring and flexible response strategies to address the diverse needs of affected populations.
About this story
Original reporting by ReliefWeb . Jesus Give surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit ReliefWeb . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: disaster ·
Published: July 3, 2026 ·
Source: ReliefWeb ·
Reading time: 4 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? . El Niño and La Niña are opposite phases of the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO); one of the most powerful drivers of year-to-year climate variability. It is a naturally occurring climate patterns characterized by above-average sea-surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacif
When was this published? This article was first published on July 3, 2026 by ReliefWeb and curated for Jesus Give readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by World Meteorological Organization at ReliefWeb. To learn more about how Jesus Give selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more disaster coverage from Jesus Give, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .