UN warns this year’s El Niño could be worst we’ve seen in 40 years. Will it affect UK weather?

• The head of the UN weather agency has warned that this year's El Niño could be the strongest recorded in the last four decades.
• The World Meteorological Organization forecasts that tropical Pacific sea surface temperatures will reach record levels between October and December.
• Severe impacts are already being felt globally, including heavy flooding in South America and worsened wildfires in Indonesia.
• Experts warn the phenomenon could increase the likelihood of wetter and stormier conditions across northwest Europe, including the UK.
• The Met Office noted that El Niño could also heighten the risk of UK cold snaps by weakening the polar vortex, though this is dependent on multiple competing factors.

IN FULL

From cold snaps to stormier winters: How this year’s ‘off the charts’ El Niño could affect UK weather