El Niño has developed in the tropical Pacific and is expected to intensify rapidly over the coming months, according to the UN weather agency, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). The WMO says the outlook points to a strong El Niño emerging during July to September, with high confidence in the rapid development.

WMO scientist Alvaro Silva said the agency has increased confidence that strong El Niño conditions are forming in the equatorial Pacific. The WMO noted that El Niño conditions also tend to raise global temperatures, and that El Niño years are associated with record or near-record heat.

The agency warned that stronger El Niño conditions increase the chances of extreme weather, including heatwaves and heavy rainfall in many regions, and urged countries and relevant sectors to prepare early.