Signs point to intense El Nino in Asia-Pacific region

The temperature of a key Pacific Ocean region used to monitor El Nino conditions reached an all-time high in September, underscoring the exceptional intensity of the current weather pattern.

Experts in the Asia-Pacific said the region will need to improve preparedness for a strong El Nino and promote the energy transition.

The average sea surface temperature in the Nino 3.4 region reached 29.7 C last month, surpassing the peak values of the previous very strong El Nino events of 1982-83, 1997-98, and 2015-16, according to a report released on Monday by the Copernicus Climate Change Service.

El Nino refers to a periodic warming phenomenon of the central and eastern tropical Pacific that disrupts global weather. Against the backdrop of global warming, a strong El Nino is believed to intensify the occurrence of extreme weather events.

For many months, global meteorological agencies have monitored the current El Nino, which could be the strongest ever, and warned of the risk of extreme weather events.

China's National Climate Center, or NCC, also said on Oct 9 that a "super" El Nino event with warming concentrated in the eastern Pacific formed in September, which is expected to become the strongest such event since systematic monitoring began.

NCC Chief Forecaster Zhao Junhu said sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific are expected to continue rising over the next three months, peaking in late autumn to early winter, according to Xinhua News Agency.

In South Korea, after heat waves killed dozens of people this summer, Seoul's daytime temperature reached 30.1 C on Monday, October's highest-ever recorded temperature since meteorological observations began, according to broadcaster SBS.

The Korea Meteorological Administration said significant temperature variations could be seen this winter partly due to the intensified El Nino.

Japan reported unusual levels of rainfall in September and October, with Tokyo experiencing a record 35 consecutive days of rain, the longest continuous stretch of precipitation in the capital since records began in 1886.

Worst in decades

In Indonesia, the worst wildfire in decades is also being fueled by the "super" El Nino. Hundreds of families have been displaced, and smog has spread to neighboring countries such as Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines.

"Recent weather patterns confirm that we should brace for the impact of a 'super' El Nino," said Kim Joo-jin, CEO at Solutions for Our Climate, a climate advocacy organization based in Seoul.

Across Asia, Kim told China Daily that this means a higher risk of extreme heat, droughts, heavy rainfall, and wildfires.

Kim said the strong El Nino is a wake-up call to accelerate climate action, including moving away from fossil fuels.

In South Korea, for example, Kim said extreme heat underscores the need to strengthen climate resilience, with accelerating the energy transition as key.

With an intensified El Nino, Sheeba Chenoli, associate professor in meteorology and climatology at Universiti Malaya, told China Daily that shifts in atmospheric circulation and moisture patterns could be seen this year.

"The major concern is that all these impacts are adding up with the existing stress we have due to climate change," said Sheeba, noting the record-high sea surface temperature reported in September is "an important warning signal".

Sheeba said cooperation among member states in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations is important for shared monitoring, seasonal forecasts, early warnings and implementing existing agreements, as climate-related events and impacts can travel across borders.

Global temperatures also reached 1.63 C above the preindustrial level last month, making it the second-warmest September ever recorded, according to the European Union's climate monitor.