Baghdad: The Iraqi Meteorological Organization and Seismology announced on Thursday that the global effects of El Niño do not necessarily have a direct impact on Iraq’s weather conditions.

According to Iraqi News Agency, the organization issued a statement detailing that while the El Niño phenomenon is expected to intensify in the coming months, its effects on Iraq are not straightforward. The World Meteorological Organization’s latest report predicts that this atmospheric phenomenon could persist through the autumn and winter seasons of 2026 into early 2027.

El Niño is characterized by an unusual rise in sea temperatures in parts of the Pacific Ocean, which can alter atmospheric circulation and weather patterns globally. The report suggests that a stronger El Niño might lead to extreme weather events such as severe heatwaves or droughts in some areas, and heavy rainfall or flooding in others. However, the impact varies by region.

The Meteorological Organization emphasized that Iraq may not experience extr
eme weather directly as a result of El Niño. Any potential effects would be indirect, influenced by changes in air currents and weather systems affecting the broader region.

The organization also highlighted the importance of considering multiple climatic and atmospheric factors when assessing Iraq’s future weather conditions. These include the Indian Ocean Dipole, the movement of weather systems over the Mediterranean and Arabian Peninsula, and other atmospheric indicators, in addition to El Niño.

The statement concluded that while the intensification of El Niño is a significant global climate event, it does not serve as a specific weather forecast for Iraq. Determining whether Iraq will face a wetter or drier winter, or experience above-normal temperatures, requires ongoing monitoring of various weather and climate indicators.