Meteorologists from the portal draw attention to disturbing developments in the Pacific Ocean. After the end of the colder phase of La Niña, its opposite – the El Niño phenomenon – takes over. According to current measurements, this phenomenon is gaining strength unusually quickly. Experts estimate that by the end of 2026, it could reach the intensity of the so-called “Super El Niña”, which would mean a fundamental intervention in the global flow of the atmosphere.
The main engine of current changes is a huge amount of thermal energy that has accumulated at depths between 100 and 250 meters below the surface of the tropical Pacific. With the action of westerly winds, this heat begins to move to the surface, which sets off a chain reaction throughout the climate system. The sea surface temperature in the key monitored areas already exceeds the long-term average by more than 2 °C. It is this heat supply that can push global temperatures to record levels in the coming months.
Meteorological models, including the European ECMWF center, indicate different scenarios for our continent. While Western Europe is likely to find itself in a zone of frequent low pressure areas with cooler and stormier weather patternsthe central and eastern part of Europe should face the opposite extreme. If the assumption about a strong El Niño, long-lasting heat waves may affect Slovakia. Combined with an above-average warm Atlantic, there is a risk that temperatures in the lowlands will regularly reach values between 35 and 38 °C.
However, high temperatures are not the only risk. Experts warn of an increase in dangerous storm situations. It creates a great contrast between the heated land and the moist ocean air suitable conditions for the formation of supercells, hail and strong gusty winds. The ENSO system is currently in a boom phase. Given the dynamics of these changes, it is expected that the year 2026 will go down in history as a period of significant climatic anomalies and shifts in the nature of weather worldwide.
