El Nino, Climate Change To Breach World's New Average Temperature Record In 2023? Here's What Experts Say

El nino is characterised by a slow down of the winds blowing west along the equator and warm water being pushed east which creates warmer surface ocean temperatures. 

Experts say El Nino coupled with climate change can breach world's temperature records. (Representational Image)

El Nino weather phenomenon, which climate scientists anticipate to return, coupled with climate change can result in a new breach of the world’s average temperature, believe experts. El Nino is characterised by a slow down of the winds blowing west along the equator and warm water being pushed east which creates warmer surface ocean temperatures. 

2016 was the hottest year on record so far, coinciding with El Nino, but the year 2023 could be breaching that record, although climate change has fuelled extreme temperatures even in years without the phenomenon.

The last eight years were the world's eight hottest on record - reflecting the longer-term warming trend driven by greenhouse gas emissions.

‘A Good Chance’ 2023 Will Be Hotter Than 2016 If El Nino Develops

Friederike Otto, senior lecturer at Imperial College London's Grantham Institute, said El Nino-fuelled temperatures could worsen the climate change impacts countries are already experiencing - including severe heatwaves, drought, and wildfires, reported Reuters.

"If El Nino does develop, there is a good chance 2023 will be even hotter than 2016 – considering the world has continued to warm as humans continue to burn fossil fuels," Otto said

"El Nino is normally associated with record-breaking temperatures at the global level. Whether this will happen in 2023 or 2024 is yet known, but it is, I think, more likely than not," said Carlo Buontempo, director of the EU's Copernicus Climate Change Service.

As per Buontempo climate models suggest El Nino conditions in the late boreal summer, and the possibility of a strong El Nino developing towards the end of the year, the Reuters report stated. 

What Are La Nina And El Nino?

Simply put, La Nina and El Nino — together known as El Nino–Southern Oscillation — are the cooling phase and warming phase respectively of sea temperatures. Both the phenomena last for 9-12 months but some prolonged events may last for years.