Super El Niño grows a second arm and could be the strongest in a thousand years, maps reveal

Climate scientist Zeke Hausfather warned that if peak models prove accurate, the current El Niño could rank as the strongest event in 1,000 years. New maps from Peru's national meteorological service show warm water has moved south along Chile's coastline, extending into the south-east Pacific and forming a clearly visible second arm from the main pool. Sea-surface temperatures in some areas are running more than 3°C above the seasonal average, with the peak expected in December.

The World Meteorological Organization says there is a near-100 per cent likelihood the event will persist through February 2027.

The predicted peak anomaly of +3.7°C between October and December would shatter the previous record of +2.6°C set in 2015-16.

UK residents are being told to get ready now for a stormy autumn and early winter, with AA Insurance issuing a ten-point home-protection checklist.