The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has announced that El Nino rains will continue for an additional three months until April 2024.
In a statement on Wednesday, November 8, the weather experts indicated that instead of the earlier predicted three-month period, the rains would last for an even longer period.
Further, WMO Secretary-General Petteri Taalas stated that the rains would also lead to other natural disasters including drought, wildfires and floods.
“The ongoing El Niño event is expected to last at least until April 2024, influencing weather patterns and contributing to a further spike in temperatures both on land and in the ocean.
“Extreme events such as heatwaves, drought, wildfires, heavy rain and floods will be enhanced in some regions, with major impacts,” stated Taalas.
Also Read: What to Consider During Construction to Avoid Floods
In Addition, the SG noted that the expected extreme weather conditions were a global crisis, therefore it was crucial that the organization issued early warnings to help save lives and minimize losses.
“That is why WMO is committed to the early warnings for all initiative to save lives and minimize economic losses,” Taalas added.
The World Meteorological Organization is the United Nations System’s authoritative voice on Weather, Climate and Water
El Nino Patterns according to World Met
On the other hand, WMO indicated that El Nino was likely to peak between November and January 2024.
“There is a 90 percent likelihood it will persist throughout the upcoming northern hemisphere winter/southern hemisphere summer.
“Based on historical patterns and current long-range predictions, it is anticipated it will gradually diminish during the forthcoming boreal spring,” noted WMO.
At the same time, the organization stated that El Niño occurs on average every two to seven years, typically lasting between nine to 12 months.
“It is a naturally occurring climate pattern associated with warming of the ocean surface in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean. But it takes place in the context of a climate being changed by human activities,” it explained.
Also Read: El Nino Confusion: Weatherman Clarifies as Heavy Rains Intensify
Why 2024 Will be the Hottest Year
On the flipside, the weatherman revealed that one of the impacts of El Nino would be a record of extreme high temperatures in 2024.
Further, the report explained that it was due to the contribution of the increasing concentrations of heat-trapping greenhouse gases from human activities.
“But as a result of record high land and sea-surface temperatures since June, the year 2023 is now on track to be the warmest year on record. Next year may be even warmer.
“It is important to note that El Niño is not the only factor that drives global and regional climate patterns, and that the magnitudes of El Niño indicators do not directly correspond to the magnitudes of their effects,” noted WMO.
El Nino Records in Kenya
Heavy rains continue to pour in Kenya even as the Kenya Metrological Department issues warning to citizens to prioritize their safety.
In addition, the weatherman warned of isolated storms in specific regions, including the Highlands East and West of the Rift Valley, the South-eastern lowlands, and the Coast.
Notably, Mandera North and Mandera East remain the most affected by the rains with deaths and displacement of people recorded.
Several roads have also remained impassable, with dozens of deaths reported and thousands displaced.
