Australia declares El Nino set to be strongest in decades - Reuters
Article excerpt
Australia's Bureau of Meteorology has declared that El Niño conditions are forming and will likely become the strongest in decades. The declaration comes as sea surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean have reached levels typically associated with major El Niño events, which can trigger droughts, floods, and extreme weather across the globe. Australia, already facing water scarcity and agricultural challenges, is bracing for significant climate impacts including potential drought conditions. The bureau's forecast suggests this event could rival or exceed the strength of previous major El Niño episodes from 1997, 1998 and 2015, 2016, prompting governments and farmers worldwide to prepare for disrupted weather patterns.