'Triple dip' La Niña to wreak havoc with global weather patterns

Weather phenomenon will bring drought and flooding in different parts of the world as some regions become hotter and others wetter than normal, scientists warn

Irish humanitarian organisations joined forces to sound the alarm on the risk of widespread famine in the Horn of Africa at Leinster House in June. Picture: Stephen Collins/Collins Photos

A rare "triple dip" weather phenomenon is likely to wreak havoc with weather patterns across the globe for the winter, scientists have warned.

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) warned the northern hemisphere was now braced for the third winter of the La Niña water cooling phenomenon, while the southern hemisphere's summer months will be affected.