Climate scientists are warning that 2026 is increasingly likely to become the hottest year on record, driven by the powerful El Nino weather phenomenon that is reshaping weather patterns across the globe. The El Nino event is already producing far-reaching consequences for multiple continents.
The climate pattern is drying out several regions including Western and Southern Africa, Australia, and parts of India, while simultaneously increasing rainfall in other areas such as the southern United States. These extreme weather shifts are threatening agricultural output, water security, and economic stability in affected regions.
Temperature records have been tumbling throughout the year, with multiple months setting new highs. Scientists emphasise that the El Nino effect is compounding the underlying trend of global warming driven by greenhouse gas emissions, creating a particularly dangerous convergence of climate forces.
