The return of El Niño to the Pacific is poised to impact Mauritius, potentially leading to a hotter summer.
Meteorologists at the Vacoas station suggest that this climatic phenomenon, which tends to raise global temperatures, may bring higher temperatures to the island nation.
August 2023 marked the second-hottest August in recent years, with rainfall exceeding the monthly average by 130%, registering 140mm compared to the usual 108mm.
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has warned that El Niño’s presence in the tropical Pacific could lead to a global temperature rise.
Petteri Taalas, Secretary-General of the WMO, emphasized that this could result in record-breaking temperatures and more extreme heat in various regions worldwide.
However, it’s important to note that every El Niño period is unique, and predictions for specific climate events remain uncertain.
Local meteorological stations are closely monitoring the situation, particularly with regards to rainfall and cyclone activity.
They are paying special attention to the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD), a crucial factor in determining weather patterns for the region. The IOD measures sea temperature variations between East Africa and the Indonesia/Australia area.
As the Mauritian winter experiences unusually warm conditions, it is becoming increasingly likely that a hot summer awaits.
While temperatures have reached peaks of 34°C in recent years, a comprehensive analysis is needed to ascertain the frequency of such extremes in the upcoming season.
Source: L’Express
