{
  "id": 20189493,
  "title": "Inside the 2026 El Niño: Why extreme weather is spiking global heat and grocery bills",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/15/inside-the-2026-el-nino-why-extreme-weather-is-spiking-global-heat",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-15T15:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "IOL",
    "slug": "iol",
    "url": "https://iol.co.za/news/world/2026-11-15-inside-the-2026-el-nio-why-extreme-weather-is-spiking-global-heat-and-grocery-bills/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "An exceptionally strong El Nino weather pattern is driving extreme global heat and grocery price hikes, experts warn. The European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts and Copernicus monitor report that the world is on track for 2026 to be the second-hottest year on record, with the El Nino phenomenon further amplifying human-driven global warming. October's record-breaking global and ocean temperatures, as noted by Samantha Burgess, the strategic lead for climate at the European Centre, are a result of El Nino's temporary heat-raising effect in the tropical Pacific. Peru and Bolivia have declared states of emergency due to imminent flooding risks from El Nino-linked downpours, affecting nearly a third of Peru's population and parts of Asia experiencing drought conditions. The Philippines has set aside $980 million for an El Nino response plan, impacting agriculture which accounts for 8% of the country's GDP and employs one in four Filipinos. The disruptions, a result of El Nino and the Iran war, are pushing up food prices, posing a threat to vulnerable households' food security and potentially increasing malnutrition rates.",
  "summary": "An exceptionally strong El Niño is driving global weather extremes — from floods in Peru to droughts in Asia — pushing 2026 toward becoming the second-hottest year on record while threatening global food security and prices.",
  "key_points": [
    "2026 projected to be second-hottest year on record",
    "El Nino amplifies human-driven global warming",
    "Peru, Bolivia face flooding risks, Asia experiences drought"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}