Experts are predicting that global temperatures could be boosted this year due to a possible El Niño. This change in the tempratures could reak havoc for home growers and farmers alike - however its impact is not guaranteed.
What is El Niño?
El Niño is a natural climate pattern that causes some of the biggest year-to-year changes in the Earth’s weather. During El Niño years, global temperatures tend to be warmer, while La Niña years are usually cooler.
Under normal conditions, winds over the Pacific Ocean push warm water from east to west. This warm water heats the air in the western Pacific, helping to drive weather patterns around the world. But every every 2 to 7 years, these winds weaken. When that happens, less cold water rises to the surface in the eastern Pacific, and the ocean becomes warmer across a larger area.
Even though this all starts in the Pacific Ocean, it still affects us in the UK. Changes in ocean temperatures can shift global weather patterns, influencing things like rainfall, temperature, and storms across different parts of the world.
"Then later in the summer - between June to August - there is a 62% chance that El Niño will emerge "and persist through at least the end of 2026" -bbc.co.uk
How will it effect the UK?
El Niño can raise the chances of hotter summers and colder winters. Hotter, drier summers will create great challanges for producing crops. Wetter conditions means there is a greater chance of storms and unsettled weather.
What can you do about it?
If your garden, plants or crops rely on a constant supply of water, you need 'water-wisely'. what does this mean? If you collect rainwater then know that every drop matters. Below are a few simple things you can do to optimise your water usage.
- Mulches — straw, bark chips, or leaf mould to hold more moisture
- Water early in the morning or late in the evening
- Avoid watering on very windy or hot days
- Use a watering cans for targeted watering