Peru upgrades coastal El Niño status to alert

Peru’s El Niño monitoring commission (Enfen) has upgraded its status from vigilance to alert, signalling a near-imminent coastal El Niño from March.

The shift follows accelerated sea warming, bringing forward earlier projections that pointed to April. The event is now expected to run through November, with potential moderate intensity by July, subject to ongoing review.

Sea temperatures are rising but remain uneven along the coast, with some areas still near normal due to upwelling. However, incoming warm Kelvin waves — one already present, two more forecast between March and May — could intensify warming.

Initial impacts are projected to be weak to moderate, including higher humidity, warmer conditions and increased rainfall, particularly in Tumbes, Piura and Lambayeque.

source: gob.pe

photo: agroperu.pe