WMO said El Nifio has emerged in the tropical Pacific and is expected to rapidly strengthen over the coming months, raising the likelihood of heatwaves, droughts and heavy rainfall across multiple regions. Multi-model ensemble forecasts show markedly higher sea surface temperatures in the central‑eastern equatorial Pacific and indicate El Nifio is likely to develop into a strong event in Jul‑Sep 2026, with further strengthening into Northern Hemisphere autumn and global spread of impacts.