DMH warns of possible strong El Niño this year, urges early preparedness measures

The Department of Meteorology and Hydrology (DMH) has warned that the public should make advance preparations as a strong El Niño event could occur this year.

According to the DMH, sea surface temperatures and atmospheric conditions in the tropical Pacific Ocean near the equator are showing signs of an emerging El Niño phenomenon. Forecasts from the International Meteorological Organization’s climate models indicate that a weak El Niño may begin in June, with the possibility of it strengthening into a strong El Niño by the end of 2026.

Although El Niño originates in the Pacific Ocean, its impacts are often linked to irregular rainfall patterns, rising daytime temperatures, unusual storm activity, and extreme weather conditions such as drought. The DMH therefore urged relevant sectors and the public to take early preparedness measures and stated that timely updates on the development of El Niño will continue to be issued.

El Niño is a natural climate phenomenon caused by higher-than-normal sea surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean. Under normal conditions, strong easterly winds push warm surface waters toward Asia, while colder water rises along the western coast of the Americas. However, when these winds weaken, the warm water shifts back toward the central and eastern Pacific, causing sea surface temperatures in those regions to rise significantly above normal levels.

El Niño events generally occur every two to seven years and can last from nine months to more than a year.