health
February 7, 2026
Chance of El Niño forming in Pacific Ocean may push global temperatures to record highs in 2027
One expert says 2027 could be even hotter than the last three years, which have been the top three warmest on record
TL;DR
- El Niño formation in the Pacific Ocean later this year is being monitored, potentially leading to record global temperatures in 2027.
- US NOAA and Australia's Bureau of Meteorology have indicated model forecasts for El Niño, but with acknowledged uncertainties.
- Experts believe it's too early to confirm El Niño, but early signals like sea surface temperatures are present.
- El Niño is characterized by warmer-than-average waters in the east of the equatorial Pacific, which tends to boost global temperatures.
- If an El Niño develops, it is predicted to primarily impact global surface temperatures in 2027, with a moderate to strong event potentially setting a new record.
- The past three years have been the three warmest on record globally, with an El Niño event in mid-2023 likely contributing to higher 2024 temperatures.
- Global heating from fossil fuels is a strong, ongoing factor that is 'simply overtaking year-to-year variability'.
Continue reading the original article