The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has cautioned that the ongoing El Niño may turn into one of the most powerful since 1950, with its peak expected around December 2026. For the equatorial Pacific's Niño 3.4 region, sea surface temperatures are projected to run about +3.7°C above normal. The event could bring extreme heat, drought and changed rainfall to India, Africa, Indonesia and parts of the Americas. About 2.6 billion people may experience unusually high temperatures and 1.3 billion could face extreme rainfall risk through December 2026. WMO sees a near-100% chance of El Niño lasting through February 2027, with effects possibly extending into spring.