What is El Niño?
El Niño is a natural climate pattern caused by warmer-than-average Pacific Ocean temperatures. It can disrupt global weather patterns and increase the likelihood of droughts, floods and heatwaves.
Is El Niño happening right now?
Yes, El Niño is happening right now, and is predicted to intensify over the next few months, with a 97% chance it will last through to early spring 2027. Typically, El Niño lasts around 9-12 months and peaks around December.
What is the difference between El Niño and La Niña?
El Niño is the opposite phase of a related climate pattern known as La Niña, which is associated with cooler Pacific Ocean temperatures. Both El Niño and La Niña can lead to extreme weather events. Both are unpredictable, but El Niño tends to be more intense, while La Niña tends to be longer-lasting. Generally, El Niño occurs more frequently than La Niña.
What is a super El Niño?
A ‘super El Niño’ is not an official term, but is often used to describe a very strong El Niño event – usually defined as average sea surface temperatures in parts of the Pacific rising by 2 °C or more. When this happens, weather events caused by El Niño can be even more intense. Forecasters are indicating a high probability that the current El Niño will be extremely strong.
Which countries are most affected by El Niño?
The countries at highest risk of severe humanitarian impacts caused or worsened by the current El Niño include Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Kenya, Madagascar, Mali, Mozambique, Pakistan, The Philippines, Somalia, South Sudan, and Sudan. In these countries, environmental pressures from extreme weather events are most likely to intersect with existing poverty, conflict or climate vulnerability.
Is El Niño caused by climate change?
El Niño is part of a naturally occurring weather phenomenon. However, climate change can amplify the effects of El Niño. The world is getting hotter, and when higher baseline temperatures are combined with El Niño, extreme weather events can become even more severe and unpredictable.
What is CARE doing to help communities affected by El Niño?
CARE combines emergency response with long-term climate adaptation for communities facing climate shocks. This includes anticipatory action, disaster preparedness, climate-resilient agriculture, water and sanitation services, and support for women-led resilience initiatives.
