El Niño’s Impact Could Alter Global Weather Patterns Next Year

Melbourne. The El Niño weather cycle is steadily strengthening and intensifying, with its severity and power expected to increase over the coming months. This could lead to shifts in weather and rainfall patterns across various parts of the globe, including the Indian subcontinent. The onset of El Niño may trigger extreme heat and drought conditions in some regions, while posing a risk of torrential rainfall and severe flooding in others.

El Niño emerged as early as May–June 2026, and its influence has already led to a significant reduction in the southwest monsoon rainfall in India, raising concerns about potential damage to Kharif crops. Furthermore, it is expected to have a profound impact on the production of oil palm and coffee in Southeast Asia next year. Meanwhile, in southern Brazil, there are fears of catastrophic flooding—which could damage soybean and sugarcane crops—whereas the northern part of the country may face a lack of rainfall.

According to the World Meteorological Organization, the planet has been warming for the past 12 years, with the last four years ranking among the hottest on record. Conditions are not expected to return to normal next year, which could keep global market prices for several key agricultural commodities high and firm.