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El Nino Shatters Temperature Records
13 Oct
Summary
- September saw an all-time high temperature in a key Pacific zone.
- This El Nino event could make the current year the hottest globally.
- Global average sea surface temperatures reached a record high in September.
An intensifying El Nino pattern has led to an all-time temperature high in a key Pacific zone during September. Global forecasters are warning that this El Nino could make the current year the hottest ever recorded. The warming phase of this natural climate cycle temporarily raises sea temperatures in the tropical Pacific, which can trigger widespread weather changes.
Copernicus, the EU's climate monitor, reported that sea surface temperatures in the Nino3.4 region of the Pacific reached an "all-time high" of 29.70C last month. This surpasses peaks from previous strong El Nino events. While the current event is described as "very exceptional," its ultimate strength compared to past events is complicated by overall rising ocean temperatures due to climate change.
Global average sea surface temperatures also recorded a new high of 21.05C for September. Experts caution that this El Nino, combined with human-induced climate change, might lead to 2027 becoming the hottest year on record as heat from the Pacific is released. However, the director of Copernicus noted that even 2026 could be a record-breaker.
