🇲🇺MauritiusEast Africa
Mauritius to experience below-normal rainfall through September due to strengthening El Niño
via Le Mauricien1 min read
Mauritius is forecast to experience below-normal rainfall from July to September 2026, according to the Mauritius Meteorological Services. This projection is attributed to the progressive strengthening of the El Niño phenomenon in the tropical Pacific Ocean. The latest report from the Climate Prediction Centre of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NOAA, dated June 22, 2026, indicates that El Niño conditions are intensifying. Sea surface temperature anomalies in the Niño 3.4 region have consistently risen, from +0.48 °C between March and May 2026 to +0.94 °C in May, with the latest weekly Niño 3.4 index reaching +1.7 °C. These indicators confirm a transition to a moderate-strength El Niño episode. Consequently, the Meteorological Services anticipate rainfall totals below seasonal averages for the next three months: 90 mm in July approximately 70% of the long-term average, 86 mm in August 80% of the long-term average, and 70 mm in September 80% of the long-term average. The total accumulated rainfall for July to September is expected to be 246 mm, which is only 77% of the long-term average for this period. This trend of deficient rainfall could impact water resources and climate-dependent activities if it continues in the coming months.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Le Mauricien.
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