The World Meteorological Organization has warned that a rapidly strengthening El Nino will likely dominate global weather patterns in the coming months and could push temperatures higher, increasing risks of heatwaves, drought and floods.
Secretary-General António Guterres said El Nino 'is not just at our doorstep, it is inside the house and raising temperatures,' and that it is growing stronger and adding fuel to regions already burning.
WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo urged governments and humanitarian agencies to turn early warnings into concrete action, saying forecasts alone do not prevent danger.
WMO expects sea-surface temperatures in the central Pacific to rise as much as 2.9 degrees Celsius above normal, a condition that would disrupt weather systems and contribute to global temperature rise.
The agency forecasts above-normal temperatures over most land areas, with the most severe effects expected in Africa, southern Europe, the Indian subcontinent, East Asia and South America.
The assessment comes as wildfires are raging in parts of Africa and Europe and while heavy monsoon rains have caused major damage across South Asia.
Scientists cited in the WMO warning said El Nino could reach record-level intensity in the second half of the year, while noting that computer-model forecasts remain uncertain.