El Nino conditions have developed over the equatorial Pacific Ocean and are likely to intensify during India’s upcoming southwest monsoon season, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Friday,
raising concerns over potential impacts on rainfall patterns.
According to the IMD, sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific have warmed significantly, and the atmosphere has started responding to this change. The combined ocean-atmosphere system is now showing features typically associated with El Nino conditions.
“Forecasts from the Monsoon Mission Coupled Forecast System (MMCFS) indicate a further strengthening of El Nino conditions during the southwest monsoon season,” the IMD stated.
What Is El Nino?
El Nino, a climate phenomenon linked to the periodic warming of Pacific Ocean waters, can influence weather and monsoon patterns across the globe, including India. The last El Nino event was recorded in 2023. Since 2000, similar conditions have developed in 2002, 2009 and 2015.
