The world is worried: The "El Niño" natural phenomenon troubling scientists - and threatening Israel

The world is preparing for a particularly powerful "Super El Niño" phenomenon, with forecasts of extreme weather events, floods, heat waves, and impacts on agriculture and food. In Israel, heavy rains and floods are expected this coming winter, with an 11% to 15% increase in precipitation, and in some areas, rainfall 145% above average.

The world is preparing for a particularly powerful "Super El Niño" phenomenon, with grim forecasts of extreme weather events. Nadav Davidovich, a member of the steering committee for dealing with the climate crisis, explained that this is a meteorological phenomenon causing extreme events like floods and heat waves, affecting the entire world including Israel. Boaz Dayan, a forecaster, noted that while it is difficult to predict precisely, it can be said with certainty that there will be extreme events. Models predict that the sea surface temperature in the Pacific Ocean will be 3.8 degrees higher than in normal years. The last time El Niño struck with such force was a decade ago in California. Australia is already suffering from the effects of the phenomenon this year, with heavy rains and floods in Melbourne. In Israel, the Meteorological Service has warned of an increased risk of heavy rains and floods this coming winter. Precipitation is expected to increase by 11% to 15%, and in areas such as Judea, the Negev, the Golan, and the Galilee, rainfall may be 145% above average. Dayan predicts that October-November will be very rainy, with rain across the country at twice the average rate, floods in the south, possibly hail, and significant snow events including in Jerusalem.