Severe warming of the sea surface and the peak of the El Niño climate phenomenon could lead to a record global temperature in 2027. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Sputnik Kazakhstan.
Andrea Taschetto, a climatologist at the Australian ARC Centre of Excellence for Climate Extremes, told RIA Novosti: "Currently, the temperature of the surface layer of the World Ocean is very high. May 2026 was recorded as the warmest month in terms of global sea surface temperature," said the associate professor at the University of New South Wales.
According to Taschetto, the El Niño phenomenon, after its peak, raises the global average temperature. This is also facilitated by rising temperatures in the tropical North Atlantic and the Indian Ocean. "Therefore, if a new global temperature record is set next year, it will not be surprising," she added.
El Niño is a natural phenomenon characterized by a significant increase in water temperature in the equatorial Pacific Ocean above normal. Such warming can alter the interaction between the ocean and atmosphere, triggering a chain of climate changes worldwide. As a result, some regions may face increased drought risk, while others may experience heavy rainfall.