Sydney: Australia's Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) on Tuesday officially declared that an El Nino weather pattern has formed in the tropical Pacific Ocean, warning it could intensify in the second half of 2026 and become one of the strongest events recorded in more than seven decades.

According to Anadolu Agency, the weather agency stated that sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific had exceeded El Ni±o thresholds. Atmospheric indicators, including trade winds and pressure patterns, showed a response consistent with this climate phenomenon.

Forecast models indicate further warming in the coming months, with around half of the climate models suggesting the event could rank among the strongest since records began in 1950. El Ni±o is identified by unusually warm ocean temperatures in the equatorial Pacific, often disrupting global weather systems.

BoM noted that Australia is likely to experience below-average rainfall and above-average temperatures during winter and spring, particularly across central and eastern regions. The agency cautioned that the event could increase the risk of drought, heat waves, and bushfires.

Climate experts have also warned that rising global temperatures may amplify the effects of El Ni±o, increasing the likelihood of extreme weather events and environmental stress.