United Nations warns of possible El Niño bringing more heat and drought to Aruba and Curaçao

GENEVA — The United Nations’ World Meteorological Organization has warned that the likelihood of a new El Niño weather phenomenon has now risen to more than 80 percent, raising concerns about increased heat waves, drought conditions and extreme weather in several parts of the world, including the Caribbean.

According to the United Nations, El Niño develops when parts of the Pacific Ocean become unusually warm, disrupting air currents and weather systems across the globe. The WMO said ocean temperatures have already risen well above the threshold typically used to officially declare an El Niño event.

For Caribbean islands such as Aruba and Curaçao, the phenomenon could bring a hotter and drier season in the months ahead. Meteorologists say El Niño periods are often associated with reduced rainfall and longer drought conditions throughout parts of the Caribbean.

Those conditions could affect natural areas, agriculture and water availability across the region. Higher sea and air temperatures may also increase heat indexes, creating more oppressive weather conditions, particularly for elderly residents and people who work outdoors.

At the same time, El Niño generally reduces the number of tropical storms and hurricanes in the Atlantic Ocean because changing wind patterns disrupt hurricane formation. Meteorologists cautioned, however, that powerful storms can still develop even during quieter hurricane seasons.

The United Nations said the last major El Niño period between 2023 and 2024 contributed significantly to global heat records. The organization warned that additional temperature records could be broken again in the coming months.