Extreme weather conditions in the UAE this year. EXPAT MEDIA/ARCHIVE

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has projected that 2024 is set to become the hottest year on record, with average global temperatures climbing due to the diminishing cooling effects of La Niña. According to the WMO’s recent report, 2024 began under El Niño conditions and has witnessed extraordinary heat events, including the UAE’s hottest day of the year on July 9, when temperatures reached a sweltering 50.8°C in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain. WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo emphasized the alarming trend. “Even in the absence of strong El Niño or La Niña events for much of this year, we have seen unprecedented extreme weather, including record-breaking rainfall and catastrophic flooding. This is the new normal in our changing climate.” Last April, the UAE experienced unprecedented rainfall that caused massive flooding in Dubai and other parts of the emirates, causing widespread damage and closing businesses for days. La Niña, typically associated with cooling sea surface temperatures, is expected to develop in the coming months but will likely not offset the warming effects of greenhouse gases. Experts warn that human-induced climate change remains the overarching factor driving global warming. “Natural phenomena like El Niño and La Niña occur in cycles, but their impacts are amplified by the accumulation of greenhouse gases,” Saulo explained. Seasonal forecasts predict above-average sea surface temperatures for most ocean basins, with only the eastern equatorial Pacific potentially seeing slight cooling. As a result, temperatures across most land areas are expected to remain significantly above average. “Rising temperatures and altered weather patterns are a clarion call for urgent climate action,” Saulo urged. “We need proactive measures, from governments to individuals, to mitigate these impacts.” The WMO’s report also highlighted the growing importance of seasonal forecasts in preparing for climate phenomena. Enhanced early-warning systems are vital for mitigating the effects of extreme weather events. ICA/Expat Media
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