// BBC UK NEWS — CRONACA
Stormy autumn, cold winter - how might El Niño affect the UK weather?
Whilst no two events are the same, the current developing El Niño could mean a greater chance of stormy autumn weather in the UK. File image of Storm Herminia which hit the UK in January 2025
El Niño is developing right now across the Pacific Ocean - thousands of miles away from the UK.
Its most profound impacts may well be centred around this area, with the increased risk of flooding and landslides in Peru and Ecuador and the threat of droughts and wildfires in Australia.
However the disruption caused to global wind patterns means the impacts will ripple right across the globe.
And the Met Office says the UK weather is likely to be affected, with the growing chance that autumn and early winter will be wet and stormy.
No two El Niños are the same - so, while it may increase the chance of certain types of weather occurring, this is not guaranteed.
El Niño set to be 'strongest in living memory', says Met Office
"I have not seen an event like this developing in our forecasts before", said Professor Adam Scaife, head of long-range forecasts at the Met Office.
He says the scale of the growing El Niño is unprecedented in modern climate records.
As it approaches its peak by the end of 2026, its influence around the world will grow with effects spreading across the globe.