The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) forecasts a strong El Niño event intensifying in 2026, while Meridian Energy reports robust hydro storage levels in New Zealand despite the climate pattern’s challenges, according to recent updates.
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has warned that a strong El Niño event is expected to intensify in 2026, with significant implications for global weather patterns. The WMO emphasized that El Niño’s impacts vary by region and depend on factors like timing and interaction with other climate systems.
El Niño’s Global Impact and Regional Variability
The WMO’s analysis underscores that El Niño events, characterized by warming sea-surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific, typically occur every two to seven years and peak between November and February. The organization’s seasonal forecasts indicate that the 2026 event will likely influence global temperatures and precipitation patterns, with some regions facing heightened risks of droughts or floods. For instance, the AGRHYMET Regional Climate Centre’s forecast for the 2026 West African and Sahel rainy season, presented at a WMO briefing on 24 June 2026, highlights the need for localized preparedness measures.
The Treasury’s recent report noted that weather patterns like El Niño can have cumulative effects, such as prolonged dry conditions impacting agriculture or hydroelectric power generation. This aligns with Meridian Energy’s recent updates, which detail the company’s hydro storage levels amid the climate challenge.
Meridian’s Hydro Storage Performance Amid El Niño
Meridian Energy has reported strong hydro storage levels despite the intensifying El Niño. As of 7 September 2026, national hydro storage reached 155% of the historical average, with South Island storage at 178% and North Island storage at 79%.
August 2026 saw above-average rainfall in the South Island, particularly in the west and south, while the North Island experienced below-average rainfall. Meridian’s retail sales volumes declined by 4.7% compared to August 2025, though large business segments saw a 5.1% increase. The company’s ability to meet record electricity demand in August, supported by renewable generation and battery storage, reflects its resilience amid the climate challenges.
WMO Coordination and Regional Preparedness Efforts
The WMO has intensified its efforts to support countries in anticipating El Niño’s impacts, including regular briefings for UN agencies and humanitarian partners. A 24 June 2026 briefing included regional outlooks from the AGRHYMET Centre, while the organization plans webinars to enhance coordination and communication. These measures aim to mitigate risks such as droughts in the Indian subcontinent and floods in the Greater Horn of Africa, as outlined in the seasonal forecasts.
The Treasury’s warning about the cumulative effects of weather patterns underscores the importance of proactive planning. Meridian’s hydro storage performance demonstrates how companies can leverage favorable conditions to bolster energy security, even as El Niño introduces regional variability in rainfall and temperatures.
What Comes Next: El Niño’s Summer Implications
As the 2026 summer approaches, the WMO’s seasonal outlook will be critical for regions facing drier or wetter conditions. For New Zealand, Meridian Energy’s hydro storage levels will play a key role in managing electricity supply, particularly as the company prepares for potential shifts in demand and weather. The WMO’s upcoming webinars and technical exchanges will provide further insights into regional strategies for adapting to El Niño’s impacts.
The interplay between global climate patterns and local energy systems highlights the need for continuous monitoring and adaptive planning. Meridian’s current storage levels and the WMO’s forecasts offer a snapshot of the challenges and opportunities ahead, with both organizations emphasizing preparedness as a central priority.