El Niño in South Africa could be strongest on record - TimesLIVE
South Africa is bracing for a potentially record-breaking El Niño event, which is expected to bring hotter and drier conditions through early 2027. Experts warn that this could negatively impact agricultural yields, water resources, and national inflation rates.
Why it matters
Climate-driven weather patterns like El Niño have direct consequences for food security and economic stability in developing nations.
--> In South Africa, the El Niño phenomenon could become the strongest in the entire observation record. According to a TimesLIVE column , South Africa’s ENSO specialists’ group considers the current phenomenon exceptional, while forecasters expect it to peak between November 2026 and February 2027.
El Niño is associated with warming waters in the Pacific Ocean. For southern Africa, it usually means hotter and drier conditions. The South African Weather Service warned of rising temperatures and greater weather variability during the season.
A prolonged rainfall deficit may affect planting decisions and yields, increase pressure on water resources, and raise the risk of forest and wildfires. According to the author’s assessment, reduced agricultural production could affect food prices, household expenses, and the operations of businesses dependent on water or agricultural raw materials.
More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram .
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