Malaysia could experience 'Super El Nino' from Oct, hottest weather since 1997-98
PUTRAJAYA: The likelihood of El Nino, which typically brings hotter and drier conditions, reaching the ‘very strong’ or ‘Super El Nino’ category between Oct and Dec has risen to more than 90 per cent.
Malaysia faces high chances of experiencing a Super El Nino from October to December 2026, according to the Malaysian Meteorological Department. This forecast, backed by recent data and international climate models, predicts temperatures up to 40.1 degrees Celsius, potentially surpassing the extreme conditions seen in the 1997-1998 and 2015-2016 El Nino events.
Dr. Mohd Hisham Mohd Anip, the director-general of MetMalaysia, emphasized the strong link between El Nino and a positive Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD), which could intensify the region's dry spell. The combination of these phenomena is expected to significantly reduce rainfall across southern Asia, including Malaysia, leading to longer dry periods and heightened risks of forest fires. MetMalaysia is closely monitoring these developments to mitigate potential impacts on the country.
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