NASA Officially Confirms El Niño Onset, Warns Europe to Prepare

NASA has officially confirmed the onset of the El Niño climate phenomenon. Satellite observations have detected a rise in sea levels in the equatorial Pacific Ocean, a direct indicator that ocean waters have significantly warmed.

Scientists note that the current situation resembles the 1997 event, one of the strongest El Niños on record. Earlier this spring, satellites had already detected Kelvin waves – vast movements of warm water crossing the Pacific – signaling the development of a powerful climatic event.

Researchers predict that the effects of this El Niño will be felt across the globe. Intense heat is expected across much of Europe, North Africa, Asia, as well as North and Central America. At the same time, other regions will experience significantly increased rainfall, with wetter conditions forecast for the southwestern United States, parts of South America, Central Asia, and the Horn of Africa. Conversely, Australia, Indonesia, and parts of Central America may face prolonged drought.

Additionally, the warming of Pacific waters will influence tropical cyclone formation. Cyclone activity is expected to increase in the central and eastern Pacific, while the Atlantic is likely to see fewer storms. NASA urges preparations for extreme weather, including in Europe.