El Niño warning: SAWS calls for early planning ahead of 2026/27 summer

South Africans are being urged to prepare early for a potentially hotter and drier 2026/27 summer as a strong El Niño rapidly intensifies.

South Africans, farmers and disaster management authorities are being urged to prepare early for the 2026/27 summer as a rapidly intensifying El Niño raises the risk of below-normal rainfall and above-normal temperatures.

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) said the country should focus on preparedness rather than wait for possible impacts to materialise, as forecasts indicate the current El Niño could become exceptionally strong by late 2026 or early 2027.

The call follows a media conference bringing together climate scientists, disaster management officials and experts from the agriculture and health sectors to discuss how South Africa should plan for the months ahead.

The National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC) said preparations should begin before communities experience the effects of adverse weather.

“The NDMC’s approach is that preparedness must begin before impacts materialise,” SAWS said.

While forecasts can guide preparations, authorities stressed that local risk assessments should determine decisions and responses.

The NDMC said cooperation across government and society would be essential, with communities needing clear warnings and practical information about protective measures.

Its central message was: “Please help us turn information into action.”

University of Pretoria climatologist Prof Willem Landman confirmed that South Africa was already experiencing an El Niño event, with the 2026/27 event developing unusually early and rapidly.

“The event is now a mature coupled ocean-atmosphere phenomenon and is rapidly intensifying,” SAWS said.

Forecasts indicate a very strong El Niño could peak in late 2026 or early 2027.

However, authorities warned against treating the strength of El Niño as a direct prediction of drought.

“The magnitude of the El Niño should, therefore, not be interpreted as a direct indication of the magnitude or spatial distribution of impacts over southern Africa,” SAWS said.