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El Niño pushes Pacific temperatures to record high

Sea surface temperatures in a key Pacific region reached 29.70°C in September as the weather pattern intensifies.

At a glance

  • Sea surface temperatures in a key Pacific region hit 29.70°C in September, a record high
  • El Niño is expected to become the strongest ever recorded this year
  • The weather pattern raises drought and flood risks and exacerbates global warming

An intensifying El Niño weather pattern has driven sea surface temperatures in a monitored Pacific region to a record 29.70 degrees Celsius in September, according to the EU's Copernicus climate service. Forecasters anticipate the pattern will become the strongest ever recorded this year.

El Niño typically increases the risk of droughts and floods while intensifying global warming effects.

Why it matters

El Niño significantly influences global weather patterns and climate, affecting drought and flood risks across multiple regions while contributing to warming trends.

Original reporting

This brief was written with AI assistance from the reports listed above and checked against our editorial policy. Spotted an error? Request a correction.