# Britain’s Met Office says the developing El Niño weather pattern could be the strongest in living memory. Forecasts suggest sea-surface temperatures in the Pacific could rise more than three degrees Celsius above average later this year. El Niño can disrupt weather patterns worldwide, increasing the risk of drought, heavy rain and extreme temperatures, with potentially serious consequences for agriculture. Southern Africa is among regions that can experience drier conditions during El Niño events, with 2027 very likely to become the hottest year on record.
El Niño set to be ‘strongest in living memory