Haunting map shows exactly where El Niño will impact as experts warn 450,000 people could die
A map has now shown exactly where El Niño will hit as the weather phenomenon continues to cause weather chaos and spark produce fears.
It comes after it was predicted that almost half a million people could lose their lives through the current Super El Niño weather event.
A report from Professor Michael Greenstone, co-founder of the University of Chicago's Climate Impact Lab, has assessed the impact of extreme temperature hikes.
Experts at the Met Office have already said the 'super' El Niño has exceeded previous records, with several weeks to go before it is set to peak.
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The event is a naturally occurring climate phenomenon that develops in the Pacific Ocean when sea surface temperatures across the central and eastern equatorial Pacific become significantly warmer than average.
Global weather is then thrown off by the new atmospheric circulation patterns, resulting in flooding, wildfires and droughts.
It has prompted travel warnings over major hurricane which passed off the coast of Mexico.
For the tropics, southern Africa and north-east Australia can be at heightened risk of drought. While north-western Europe (including the UK) is likely to experience wetter and stormier conditions this coming autumn and early winter, according to the Met Office.
A map created by the International Research Institute for Climate and Society has now predicted which places will see more rain and which areas will see less rain than usual.
It shows the typical precipitation patterns globally associated with El Niño which are associated with the phenomenon.
Professor Adam Scaife, head of long-range prediction at the Met Office, explained previously: “We have been signalling for months that the developing El Niño will be an unprecedented event.
“The fact that it has already exceeded previous records, with several weeks to go before it peaks later this year, shows the enormity of this El Niño.
“Scientists are still assessing whether the impacts will be in proportion to its magnitude, but we are already seeing expected effects worldwide.”
Meanwhile, Professor Michael Greenstone, co-founder of the University of Chicago's Climate Impact Lab, has assessed the impact of extreme temperature hikes.
"The estimate of 451,000 people is such a large number that it can be numbing, but it is made up of parents and children, grandparents and neighbours, people going to work, caring for families, and living their lives," Prof Greenwood said.
These inconceivable death numbers are expected to occur between this month and February 2027, although the Super El Niño will likely claim even more victims all the way through to July of next year.
Nigeria, Indonesia, Brazil, India and Sudan are the countries most affected, while 3,500 people could die in the US.
UK Environment Secretary Dame Angela Eagle told the Guardian the powerful natural climate phenomenon of El Niño will lead to 'more extreme storms in this country'.
Severe impacts will also likely be felt in countries which export key food staples to the UK.
Topics: El Niño, Weather, UK News, World News
James Holt