Chance of El Niño forming in Pacific Ocean may push global temperatures to record highs

Rain-starved Australia has been grappling with droughts in recent years. File picture: Getty

Weather agencies and climate scientists have pointed to the possibility of an El Niño forming in the Pacific Ocean later this year — a phenomenon that could push global temperatures to all-time record highs in 2027.

Both the US government’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology have said some climate models are forecasting an El Niño, but both cautioned that those results came with uncertainties.