The El Niño weather phenomenon could intensify further into 2027 and become the strongest ever recorded, raising the risk of extreme weather around the world, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has warned.⁣ ⁣ The UN weather agency says there is a near 100% chance El Niño will continue through February 2027, driven by exceptionally warm temperatures in the Pacific Ocean. It is the first time the WMO has expressed such a high level of certainty about the phenomenon persisting.⁣ ⁣ WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo said that if the current trend continues, the event could be “stronger than anything since our monitoring began” — describing it as “literally off the charts.”⁣ ⁣ El Niño occurs when surface waters in the eastern Pacific become unusually warm, influencing rainfall and temperatures far beyond the region. ⁣ ⁣ A particularly strong event can bring droughts, heavy rainfall, heat and other extreme weather, including an increased risk of typhoons.⁣ ⁣ The WMO says Pacific Oc...