New El Niño possible this year according to weather experts
Normally the weather phenomenon only re-appears every two to seven years. The so-called "Super El Niño" of 2015 and 2016 is said by experts to have had a role in driving global temperatures to record highs.
Ocean temperatures off the coast of Peru have increased by 1.5C above average, creating "a coastal El Niño", which scientists say could develop into a more widespread event although overall, neutral conditions are still more likely.
To achieve an official El Niño status, temperatures across a large part of the equatorial Pacific have to be at least 0.5 degrees above average and sustain for three months.
"It is a bit unusual but not completely unprecedented," said Dr Rupa Kumar Kolli from the WMO.
"At least for the fist half of this year, the neutral conditions will continue, if this coastal El Niño actually expands and becomes a typical El Niño, we will know that with more confidence after the spring."
source: bbc.com
