In 2026, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) predicted a 'nearly 100% likelihood' that the 2026 El Niño will last through February 2027, and said forecasts indicate it will be the strongest El Niño on record by a wide margin. ^[1] The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said in a Thursday update that the El Niño climate phenomenon is set to become a 'very strong' event in the coming months and that it is nearly 100 percent certain to continue through February. ^[2] The United Nations warned in a separate report issued the same week that the world will likely cross 1.5 degrees Celsius of warming over the next few years. ^[3] The World Meteorological Organization said in 2026 that its El Niño/La Niña Update was the first to be so unequivocal, reflecting 'the strong agreement within WMO's extensive network.' ^[4] United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said in 2026 that the El Niño is 'being supersized before our eyes,' warning the planet is in 'uncharted waters' and 'the danger zone of extreme weather.' ^[5] WMO said El Niño is expected to peak toward the end of the year, with knock-on effects continuing well into 2027. ^[6] WMO warned that the intensifying El Niño will have major consequences for rain and temperature patterns, with associated risks of floods, drought, and extreme heat. ^[7] According to the report, El Niño can cause higher temperatures and more rain in some regions and less rain and cooler weather in others, including possible drought in Australia and cooler, rainier weather in the southern United States. ^[8]