Cooling La Niña Could Return Amid Rising Global Temperatures: WMO
Environmental reporter focusing on climate change, conservation, and sustainability
As global temperatures continue their upward trajectory, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has announced the possible return of the La Niña phenomenon later this year. Despite the cooling effects typically associated with La Niña, experts warn that human-induced climate change remains a significant driver of increasing global temperatures.
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has indicated a 55 to 60 percent likelihood of La Niña conditions developing between September and December. This climate pattern, recognized for its cooling effect on sea surface temperatures in the equatorial Pacific, could bring about significant changes in weather patterns. However, the WMO stresses that despite La Niña's cooling influence, the overarching trend of rising global temperatures due to human activity persists. The WMO's data shows that approximately 90 percent of the excess heat from global warming is stored in oceans, making ocean heat content a critical indicator of climate change.
WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo emphasized the importance of the El Niño Southern Oscillation forecast as a tool for climate intelligence, capable of saving lives by guiding preparedness and response actions. The forecast can also lead to significant economic savings in sectors like agriculture, energy, health, and transport. Although La Niña and El Niño are pivotal in shaping our climate by altering ocean temperatures and influencing weather patterns, human-induced climate change continues to exacerbate extreme weather and impact seasonal rainfall and temperature patterns.
In recent years, each year of the past decade has ranked among the top ten warmest on record. The year 2024 was recorded as the hottest yet, marked by exceptional land and sea surface temperatures and increased ocean heat. The WMO's latest update forecasts above-normal temperatures across much of the Northern and Southern hemispheres from September to November. Rainfall predictions align with patterns typically observed during moderate La Niña events.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres underscored the urgency for 'trail-blazing climate action' in response to 2024's record temperatures, stressing that immediate leadership and action are crucial to prevent the worst climate catastrophes. Beyond La Niña and El Niño, other climate phenomena such as the North Atlantic Oscillation, the Arctic Oscillation, and the Indian Ocean Dipole also play roles in influencing global temperatures. The impacts of these phenomena are regularly monitored and published by the WMO in their Global Seasonal Climate Updates, providing valuable insights into future climate conditions.
About Anna Green
Environmental reporter focusing on climate change, conservation, and sustainability
