Originally posted by the Voice of America.
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Warmer Than Average Temperatures Expected Over Next Three Months

Lisa Schlein

   GENEVA - Climatescientists expect above-normal temperatures over the
   next three months,despite the absence of an El Nino, a natural
   phenomenon that tends to boost global temperatures.

   In past years, recordheat hasoccurred in El Nino years.But thatis
   changing according to theglobal seasonal climate update from the World
   Meteorological Organization. The WMO said thatApril 2020, a non-El
   Ninoperiod,is tiedas the warmest month on record with April 2016, when
   there was a strong El Nino, as well as climate change.

   WMO spokeswomanClaireNullissaidall the yearssubsequent to2016 have been
   very warm without El Nino, including 2019, which was the secondwarmest
   year on record. She notes thetrend has continuesinto this year.

   "Global temperatures in January, February and March were also the
   warmest or second warmest year on record, according to international
   data bases," Nullis said. "So, we are seeing now that the human
   influence on our climate isactually stronger.It is more powerful than
   natural sources of nature, such as El Nino."

   Heat waves increasing

   TheWMOsaidmost extreme weather events are happening against a backdrop
   of climate change.It saidheat waves are increasingdue to climate
   change,and thatishaving a major impact on extreme events such as
   tropical cyclones and heavy rainfall.East Africa, for example, is
   experiencing record rainfall and flooding.

   Nullis toldVOAthatpreparing for and managing the impact of
   extremeweatherevents is becoming more difficult due to COVID-19.She
   explainsthatnations are not paying enough attention to early warning
   systems because of the pandemic.

   "We really do need strong multi-hazard early warning systems against
   hurricanes, against heatwaves,because these things are all
   interlinked," Nullis said. "They have a cascading effect,and COVID now
   is one of those hazards."

   WMO scientists saidthe COVID-19 pandemic more than ever before
   increases the need for reliable weather forecasts and longer-term
   climate outlooks. They saidtemperatures and precipitation have a major
   impact on key economic and public health systems, noting that many have
   been brought to the brink of collapse by the pandemic.

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