The risk of floods, drought and extreme heat is expected to intensify as forecasters warn it is almost certain that this year’s El Nino will develop into a very strong event in the coming months.

Forecasts from the the World Meteorological Organisation’s (WMO) global network of climate centres expects the El Nino to peak towards the end of this year, with impacts from the weather phenomenon likely to continue well into next year.

Fuelled by exceptionally warm ocean conditions across the tropical Pacific, WMO secretary-General Celeste Saulo warned it has “the potential to deliver a massive blow to communities and economies across the world”.

While some areas of the world will experience extreme heat and drought, others will battle increased rainfall and flooding.

Here, The Independent looks at how the UK could be impacted by this extreme weather event.

What is El Nino?
El Nino – which means “little boy” in Spanish – is a meteorological phenomenon where sea surface temperatures in the tropical Pacific Ocean get warmer.

It usually occurs every two to seven years and lasts several months disrupting weather patterns worldwide and pushing up global temperatures.

The name comes from South American fishermen centuries ago, who noticed warmer-than-normal coastal conditions periodically around Christmas time and nicknamed it “El Nino” in reference to the birth of Jesus.

What usually happens in an El Nino?
It usually causes a shift in weather patterns across the globe, such as soaring temperatures, heavy rainfall, storms, floods and droughts.

The extreme weather can devastate crop yields and ecosystems, drive health crises and cause major economic damage.

The last El Nino intensified global heat, drove severe droughts, heavy floods, widespread marine heatwaves and coral bleaching across the world. It also contributed to 2024 being the hottest year on record globally.

Read More: Experts predict El Nino’s dramatic impact on UK weather this winter