This year’s El Nino has broken a record months before it is expected to reach its peak, with meteorologists describing it as a monster event that has already reached record strength by a key measure. The development has put governments and markets on alert around the world.

El Nino is a natural climate pattern marked by the warming of surface waters in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean. It typically peaks in the winter months of the Northern Hemisphere, so a record being broken this early suggests the event could grow even more powerful in the months ahead.

What it means for weather and food

Strong El Ninos are notorious for disrupting weather across the globe. Worsening El Nino conditions threaten Asia with drought, which could hit harvests and raise food prices globally. In the United States, analysts have warned that a record El Nino could threaten everyday staples by disrupting growing regions.

In Britain, the Met Office has warned of a huge impact on autumn and winter weather, with forecasters watching how the Pacific warming interacts with Atlantic patterns. Past strong El Ninos have brought floods to some regions and searing droughts to others.

Scientists watch closely

Climate scientists are tracking ocean temperatures, atmospheric pressure patterns and rainfall anomalies to gauge just how strong this event will become. Early records are a warning sign, but the full picture will emerge as the event approaches its expected peak.

With extreme weather already battering many regions, a record-shattering El Nino could amplify the damage, making preparedness a priority for governments heading into the winter season.

In India, El Nino is watched with particular anxiety because it has historically been linked to weaker monsoon rainfall, which can affect farm output and rural incomes across the country. A strong event during the rabi season could influence winter crops as well. Agricultural planners and water managers are therefore tracking the developing El Nino closely, hoping that early warnings will give them time to plan for whatever the Pacific has in store.