Global implications of extreme weather phenomenon | NHK WORLD

Global implications of extreme weather phenomenon

The Japan Meteorological Agency says El Nino reached its strongest level on record in September. Officials say it is expected to remain at record strength into winter. The phenomenon is already having a worldwide impact.

This year's El Nino the strongest ever recorded

El Nino refers to a phenomenon in which sea surface temperatures are higher than normal along the equator in the eastern Pacific Ocean off Peru. It is believed to be a contributing factor to extreme weather.The Japan Meteorological Agency says the current El Nino is believed to have started between March and May.It reports that sea surface temperatures off Peru began exceeding the average by more than 1 degree Celsius in May, with the difference reaching 4 degrees in September.The deviation of 4 degrees is the largest since record-keeping began in 1949. The previous record was 3.6 degrees, set in December 1997.The agency expects El Nino to remain at record strength going into winter.

Doi Takeshi, a senior researcher at the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology, says this year's event goes beyond a super El Nino and should be called an "ultra" El Nino. He adds it is the most pronounced yet.

Extreme weather around the world

The Japan Meteorological Agency says the phenomenon is already influencing many parts of the world.It has brought high temperatures to Central and South America and droughts to southern parts of Southeast Asia.The agency believes El Nino is partly responsible for the large number of tropical storms and typhoons that developed around Japan this summer.They add that the phenomenon could bring a warmer-than-usual winter to Japan. The Pacific side of eastern Japan and the Okinawa-Amami region could also receive more rainfall than usual.In South America, Chile's capital saw a series of large-scale floods earlier this month.Vast areas of Santiago's residential neighborhoods were submerged in murky water.It has been reported that the record-breaking rainfall may have been caused by the intensifying El Nino phenomenon.

Implications to the fishing industry

An expert says El Nino could have global impacts on farming and fishing, which could affect people's livelihoods through higher prices.Fishing is one industry experiencing the effects of climate change.In some places, like Peru, people are already feeling the impacts not only in the water but also in their wallets.

"Today, we are lucky. We caught a few. But most days, we come back with nothing."A fisher says their catch has been low for three months.Rising temperatures are having a big impact on fish that prefer the cold, like anchoveta. Fishers caught less than a quarter of their quota in the first half of the year.It is affecting not only fishing but also other related industries.

A seafood restaurant in Peru was driven to raise some menu prices after the owner has struggled to find affordable ingredients at the fish market. He says, "This is over 14 dollars per kilo, or 32 dollars for a fillet. That's too high for ceviche."The owner is now considering moving away from some ocean-caught fish.

Kagoshima Prefecture in southwestern Japan is the biggest source of farmed greater amberjack.Feed prices have doubled compared to last year, due to poor sardine catches off Peru.Sardines are a major component of the feed.

Shinohara Shigeto oversees a fishery cooperative in the city of Tarumizu. He says they are overwhelmed by soaring operating expenses.He mentions many businesses are likely to go under if this continues for a couple of years.

What is the impact on winter sports?

The El Nino event is expected to affect weather conditions this winter.The Japan Meteorological Agency says Japan can expect higher-than-usual temperatures this winter.Skiing facilities are expressing concern over a potential warm winter.The operator of a ski resort in the town of Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture, covers a slope with artificial snow. Snow-making equipment requires subzero temperatures to work properly.The manager suspects ski resort operators across the country are worried. He says they may have to consider different approaches depending on the situation.However, experts emphasize that they cannot say with certainty that it will not snow.

A senior weather agency official says temperatures this winter are expected to be higher than usual, with less influence from cold air.He adds that this does not mean cold air will not reach Japan at all, and that periods of heavy snowfall are still possible.