‘Earth is almost entirely in the red’: Scientists warn ‘super-duper’ El Niño is still intensifying – and could continue into spring next year

By XANTHA LEATHAM, EXECUTIVE SCIENCE EDITOR

Published: 00:00 EDT, 8 October 2026 | Updated: 00:08 EDT, 8 October 2026

Super El Niño is continuing to intensify, scientists have warned, with new forecasts suggesting the climate phenomenon could maintain its grip on global weather well into next year.

Experts say the event is now pushing into unprecedented territory, with vast swathes of the planet forecast to experience unusually warm conditions as the Pacific Ocean releases enormous amounts of stored heat.

The latest update from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) predicts that El Niño will continue strengthening ahead of a forecasted peak in December.

Scientists say the powerful climate pattern is likely to influence temperatures and rainfall across much of the world in the coming months.

The warning comes as meteorologists share striking maps showing large areas of the globe shaded red, indicating a heightened likelihood of above-average temperatures.

US meteorologist Ryan Maue described the outlook in a post on X, writing: ‘New maps show Earth almost entirely in the red.

‘El Niño continues at ‘maximum power’ into the winter with planetary heating dialled up everywhere except the United States.’

This map suggest Earth’s climate engine is running hot, with unusually warm conditions forecast across much of the globe during the coming months as the powerful El Niño gathers strength. Pictured: The probability of above-average temperatures in November

Forecasters expect Super El Niño to peak in December and remain strong into the spring of next year

According to the WMO, there is a near-100 per cent chance that El Niño will persist through February 2027.

The agency says the event could rank among the strongest observed since at least 1950.

WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo said: ‘El Niño is firmly established and strengthening rapidly.’

She explained that El Niño does not create new heat but instead releases heat that has accumulated beneath the ocean surface.

‘The ocean it’s drawing from is the warmest we’ve ever measured it,’ Professor Saulo said. ‘There is simply more heat available to release.’

The widely used Niño 3.4 index rose from 1.6°C above normal in June to 2.5°C above normal in August, highlighting the rapid strengthening of the event.

WMO forecasts suggest the October-to-December average anomaly could reach about 3.7°C, with conditions peaking around December.

Experts say the event is now pushing into unprecedented territory, with vast swathes of the planet forecast to experience unusually warm conditions

Scientists have warned that this year’s ‘Super El Niño’ has already smashed historical temperature records, months before reaching its peak

Climate scientist Zeke Hausfather said: ‘This year’s El Niño continues its climb into uncharted waters.

‘Niño 3.4 region anomalies are now at 3.4°C above normal, higher than any prior El Niño event on record.’

Climate and energy researcher Leon Simons joked that forecasters are witnessing a ‘super-duper El Niño’, adding: ‘We’re going to need a bigger y-axis.’

The update also points to an overwhelming likelihood of above-average sea surface temperatures across large parts of the globe during the final months of 2026.

Scientists warn that the combination of a powerful El Niño and exceptionally warm oceans could increase the risk of heat extremes, floods and droughts in different regions of the world for months to come.

Figures show that while sea surface temperatures are expected to start to slowly decrease in early 2027, El Niño will persist well into March.

How should governments and communities prepare for the extreme weather predicted in the coming months?

What's your view?El Niño is part of a naturally occurring weather cycle called the El Niño Southern Oscillation that changes between a hot and cool phase once every two to seven years.

During the hot, El Niño part of the cycle, the trade winds that normally blow warm water from the Pacific towards Australia slow or even reverse.

This allows warm water to collect near the surface of the equatorial Pacific Ocean off the west coast of South America, driving up global average temperatures.

Scientists have warned that this year’s ‘Super El Niño’ has already smashed historical temperature records, months before reaching its peak.

Brits have been told to prepare for a stormy autumn thanks to the weather phenomenon.

According to scientists, Brits should prepare for ‘heavy rainfall and flooding’ from as early as October.

‘A strong El Niño is likely to increase the chances of wetter, stormier conditions for the UK from October to December,’ said Dr Amulya Chevuturi, senior hydroclimate scientist, UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology.

‘The North West is expected to be worse affected than the South East.’

A bit of rain might sound quite appealing following the months of relentless heat.

However, Professor Bill McGuire, Professor Emeritus of Geophysical Hazards, warns that the stormy autumn will likely be followed by a bitterly cold winter.

‘Powerful El Niños typically bring mild, stormy Autumns and early Winters to the UK, followed by bitter cold, although this isn’t set in stone,’ he said.