China’s National Climate Centre has forecast the possible development of a super El Nino that could become the strongest ever recorded.
According to the climate centre, sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific are expected to rise steadily, peaking around November and December and potentially producing “the strongest El Nino in history.”
China has already experienced some effects associated with El Nino since the beginning of summer, including torrential rainfall across several regions. At times, multiple rain belts have overlapped, worsening the impact of disasters.
Typhoons have also been unusually strong and active, bringing prolonged periods of heavy winds and rainfall.
Last week, Typhoon Dolphin, described as the strongest typhoon to hit China this year, brought extreme rainfall to eastern, central and northern parts of the country. The storm travelled across the Pacific for two weeks before making landfall, with its effects reaching areas far from the coast.
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The Chinese government said natural disasters in July left 318 people dead or missing and caused about $8.5 billion in direct economic losses.
Meanwhile, the United Nations weather agency raised its forecast in July for the rapid development of a strong El Nino in the coming months, warning that the phenomenon could push global temperatures even higher.
Reuters
