El Niño poised to be strongest in over 100 years: Met Office

The UK Met Office has forecast that the developing El Niño will become the most intense recorded in more than a century, with sea surface temperatures expected to reach unprecedented levels. The weather pattern, which occurs when warm water in the Pacific Ocean spreads eastward, is anticipated to drive global temperatures higher and disrupt weather systems across multiple regions, including Southeast Asia. El Niño events typically bring increased rainfall to parts of the region while creating drier conditions elsewhere, affecting agriculture, water supplies and fisheries. The Met Office's assessment suggests the warming influence will be particularly pronounced, potentially exceeding historical records from previous strong El Niño events. Regional meteorological agencies across South and Southeast Asia are preparing advisories and contingency plans as the pattern develops, given the pattern's known influence on monsoon systems, typhoon activity and dry season intensity throughout the region.