El Niño likely to be 'record-setting event'

No two El Niño events are the same and the impacts on weather patterns can vary. Credit- Agung Parameswara-Getty Images via BBC

The powerful El Niño event that is evolving over the Pacific Ocean is likely to be the strongest in living memory, meteorologists have warned. It's a natural phenomenon that pushes up global temperatures and, in turn, increases the risks of extreme weather. 

El Niño's impact, along with human-induced climate change, could make 2027 the hottest year on record globally. "I have never seen an El Niño signal this intense in our forecasts," a top forecaster at the UK Met Office said. 

While there is currently no clear evidence that climate change is making these events more likely, the effect on the weather is expected to be more extreme in a warming world. Some countries may experience hot and dry weather that can increase the risk of drought, while others face higher chances of heavy rain and flooding. – BBC briefing