Earth faces twelfth consecutive warm year; WMO warns of intense El Niño threat in 2027

The World Meteorological Organization delivered a stark warning on climate patterns at the ongoing COP31 conference, revealing that Earth has experienced twelve consecutive years of above-normal temperatures, establishing a troubling trend of sustained planetary warming.

According to WMO assessments, 2026 recorded temperature anomalies of 1.47 degrees Celsius above baseline levels. The organization projects that 2027 will see the emergence of a particularly intense El Niño phenomenon, which is anticipated to amplify extreme weather conditions globally, including elevated heat stress, prolonged drought periods, and increased flooding events.

The climate crisis is manifesting across multiple fronts, with ocean temperatures rising significantly and glacial systems accelerating their melt rates worldwide. These interconnected changes represent a compounding threat to ecosystems and human populations across vulnerable regions.

India has already borne substantial consequences from rising temperatures, with millions of citizens experiencing severe heat impacts during recent years. The WMO projections underscore the urgency of climate adaptation measures, particularly for South Asian nations facing disproportionate exposure to intensified heat waves and extreme weather variability in the coming years.