Scientist Warns of ‘Super’ El Niño Expected to Bring Global Weather Disruption

A leading climate scientist has warned that an intensifying "super" El Niño event forming in the equatorial Pacific Ocean could cause significant weather disruption around the world over the coming year, according to an opinion article published by The Guardian.

Bill McGuire, professor emeritus of geophysical and climate hazards at University College London, wrote that the current El Niño event could rank among the most significant global weather disturbances in a millennium. He said the phenomenon is expected to fuel a series of extreme weather events into 2027.

El Niño refers to the periodic warming of the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean, part of a naturally occurring cycle known as the El Niño Southern Oscillation, which alternates between warm El Niño phases and cooler La Niña phases, McGuire explained.

According to McGuire, El Niño events are classified as "super" when ocean warming reaches or exceeds 2C above average. He said forecasts indicate the current event could peak at approximately 4C later this year, a level he described as so unusual that the term "hyper" might be more fitting than "super."

McGuire argued that the event's intensity has been amplified by the broader climate crisis and cautioned that no region, including the United Kingdom, should expect to be unaffected by the resulting weather impacts.

The scientist called for greater preparedness among global leaders, stating that current readiness levels are insufficient to manage the anticipated disruptions. He urged policymakers to take actions that mitigate rather than worsen the effects of the phenomenon.

McGuire is the author of "The Fate of the World: A History and Future of the Climate Crisis." His comments were published as an opinion piece in The Guardian.