Weak La Niña may develop in next 3 months

MANILA, Philippines — La Niña conditions may develop in the next three months, but are expected to be relatively weak and short-lived, according to the latest forecast from the United Nations weather agency.

Latest forecasts from World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Global Producing Centres of Long-Range Forecasts indicate a 55 percent likelihood of a transition from the current neutral conditions (neither El Niño nor La Niña) to La Niña conditions during December 2024 to February 2025.

“The year 2024 started out with El Niño and is on track to be the hottest on record. Even if a La Niña event does emerge, its short-term cooling impact will be insufficient to counterbalance the warming effect of record heat-trapping greenhouse gases in the atmosphere,” said WMO secretary general Celeste Saulo.