This year’s El Niño could be unprecedented in strength and “off the charts” of what has been seen in the last four decades, the head of the UN weather agency has warned.

El Niño is a naturally occurring weather phenomenon that occurs when sea temperatures in the tropical eastern Pacific rise 0.5°C above the long-term average.

This can have significant effects on weather around the world, historically increasing the risk of floods, extreme heat, storms and drought.

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) says sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific are forecast to record levels during October through December, “reflecting the strengthening of El Niño”.

El Niño impacts are already being felt

El Niño’s weather impacts tend to be most severe in regions such as India, East Asia, South America, parts of Africa and the West Pacific.

Parts of Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay are already experiencing swelling rivers by heavy rains linked to El Niño – forcing thousands of people…