2 publishers · first seen Fri, 06 Nov 2026 11:12 UTC · updated Fri, 06 Nov 2026 13:00 UTC
The EU's Copernicus Climate Change Service reports that 2026 is on track to be the second-hottest year on record, driven by an exceptionally strong El Nino weather pattern and human-driven global warming. Global temperatures are expected to exceed 1.5C above pre-industrial levels in 2026, with the four-year average from 2023 to 2026 also surpassing the 1.5C threshold. October 2026 marked the warmest October on record, with global average surface air temperatures 1.75C above pre-industrial levels. Samantha Burgess, strategic lead for climate at the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts, noted that an exceptionally strong El Nino is adding further heat to a climate already warmed by human activities.
The ongoing El Nino is expected to peak later in 2026, potentially making 2027 the hottest year on record. The World Meteorological Organization warns that the intensifying El Nino will likely push sea surface temperatures to exceptional levels, increasing the likelihood of extreme heat and disrupting rainfall patterns globally.
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