El Niño's record strength: global risks and Italy's outlook

A potentially exceptional El Niño event is strengthening, with a peak expected by late 2026 and a near-certain chance of persisting until February 2027, according to the World Meteorological Organization. This occurs against a backdrop of already-altered global warming. Sea surface temperature anomalies in the equatorial Pacific have exceeded 8 degrees Celsius above average in some areas. UN Secretary-General António Guterres has described the planet as entering "uncharted waters," highlighting the unprecedented nature of this event. The phenomenon is expected to have significant global impacts, though specific consequences for Italy remain to be detailed. The event's severity is amplified by pre-existing anthropogenic climate change, raising concerns worldwide.