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WMO Confirms Rapidly Strengthening El Niño Through February 2027

By Drooid · Oct 17, 2026, 9:57 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Met Office Issues Snow

The United Kingdom Met Office issues a snow forecast as El Niño strengthens rapidly, with peak expected in coming weeks.
World Meteorological Organization Secretary-General Celeste Saulo says El Niño is firmly established and strengthening rapidly.
The WMO forecasts near-100 percent likelihood El Niño will persist through February 2027, possibly strongest since 1950.
Thirteen national and international centres reached consensus using buoy, satellite and radiosonde data.

Summary

Calmac Cancels Ferries

Met Office issued a yellow wind warning with gusts up to 70 mph for Scottish highlands and Outer Hebrides on Wednesday.
Calmac cancelled or disrupted ferry services because of the high winds, with delays expected into Thursday.
ScotRail imposed speed restrictions on the West Highland Line between Fort William and Mallaig due to heavy rain and wind.

Summary

Gavin Newsom Declares Emergency

Tropical Pacific recorded temperatures above 30 °C for the first time, a historic high.
Governor Gavin Newsom declared a California state of emergency, warning of flood and mudslide threats.
Climate Central reports this winter as the fastest-warming season in U.S. history, hastening snowfall decline.
NOAA’s Relative Oceanic Niño Index suggests the current El Niño could set an all-time intensity record.

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Met Office Issues Snow

The United Kingdom Met Office issues a snow forecast as El Niño strengthens rapidly, with peak expected in coming weeks.
World Meteorological Organization Secretary-General Celeste Saulo says El Niño is firmly established and strengthening rapidly.
The WMO forecasts near-100 percent likelihood El Niño will persist through February 2027, possibly strongest since 1950.
Thirteen national and international centres reached consensus using buoy, satellite and radiosonde data.

1 / 3