Met Office: Temperature to remain above average over next three months

The Maldives Meteorological Service (Met Office) has forecasted that temperatures across the Maldives are expected to remain above average over the next three months due to the influence of the El Niño phenomenon.

In its seasonal outlook covering the period from September to November, the Met Office stated that temperatures nationwide are expected to remain above normal levels.

The forecast indicates that rainfall in the northern and central atolls is expected to be above average during this period, while the southern atolls are likely to experience below-average precipitation.

The authority further noted that El Niño conditions in the Pacific Ocean are strengthening and that it is closely monitoring developments.

The Met Office warned that El Niño could result in an unusual increase in sea surface temperatures, posing a significant threat to coral reef ecosystems. The report also cautioned that changes in rainfall patterns and sea temperatures could adversely affect the agriculture and fisheries sectors. Stakeholders in these industries have therefore been urged to prepare for potential challenges arising from these climatic changes.

El Niño is a major climate pattern characterized by the warming of surface waters in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean, resulting in significant changes in weather patterns around the world.

Although El Niño does not occur at regular intervals, it typically develops every two to seven years. Such episodes generally last between nine and twelve months, although they can occasionally persist for several years.