Meteorological department forecasts strong El Nino phenomenon

Director of the Meteorological Department Philippos Tymvios stated that a powerful El Nino phenomenon is expected to emerge. El Nino is a natural climatic event occurring in the tropical Pacific Ocean every two to seven years. During this cycle, trade winds weaken, allowing warm surface waters to spread into the central and eastern Pacific, which alters marine currents and warms the atmosphere. While El Nino is not caused by climate change, experts warn that it will occur against the backdrop of an already overheated planet, potentially intensifying its global impacts. Sources provide conflicting timelines for the onset, with one report mentioning a summer 2026 emergence while another notes an expected start this autumn, though both agree on its strengthening towards the winter period. The phenomenon is predicted to influence global weather patterns, including potential drought and temperature rises in Cyprus and other regions. Each El Nino event varies significantly in intensity, duration, and specific atmospheric response.