SYLLABUS

GS-1: Important Geophysical Phenomena.

GS-3: Conservation, Environmental Pollution and Degradation. 

Context: As per the latest monthly Climate Bulletin of Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S), March 2026 emerged as the fourth-warmest March on record globally.

Key Highlights of the Bulletin

• Global Temperature Snapshot: 

• March 2026 was the fourth-warmest March on record globally, with an average surface air temperature of 13.94°C, which was 1.48 °C above the estimated pre-industrial level (1850–1900).
• Europe experienced its second-warmest March on record, and much of the continent witnessed drier-than-average conditions. 

• Sea Surface Temperatures: 

• Global sea surface temperatures (SSTs) were the second-highest ever recorded for March, only slightly below the record levels of March 2024's El Niño peak of 21.14°C. 
• The average SST over extra-polar oceans (60°S–60°N) remained close to 21°C, highlighting sustained ocean heat accumulation.

• Sea Ice Extremes: 

• March 2026 also broke the record for lowest average sea ice extent in the Arctic, measuring approximately 5.7% below the 1991–2020 average.   
• In the Antarctic region, sea ice extent was 10% below the March average.

• El Niño Outlook: 

• These climate indicators point toward an increasing likelihood of El Niño conditions developing in 2026. 

Implications 

• Global:

• Rising temperatures are likely to increase the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, including heatwaves, floods, and cyclones. 
• Warmer oceans can trigger marine heatwaves, coral bleaching, and disruptions in marine ecosystems, thereby affecting global fisheries and biodiversity. 
• The possibility of El Niño may further elevate global temperatures, as such events typically add 0.1–0.2°C to global averages, amplifying climate risks. 
• Declining sea ice accelerates warming through feedback mechanisms, contributing to sea-level rise and polar instability.

• India-Specific: 

• India may experience weakened or erratic monsoon patterns during El Niño years, affecting agriculture and water security. 
• Increased likelihood of heatwaves and drought conditions could impact public health, energy demand, and rural livelihoods. 
• Warmer oceans in the Indian Ocean region may intensify cyclonic activity and coastal vulnerabilities. 

About El Niño–Southern Oscillation 

• ENSO (El Niño–Southern Oscillation) is a periodic climate phenomenon involving changes in sea surface temperatures (SSTs) and atmospheric circulation in the equatorial Pacific Ocean.

• Normal Conditions:

• Trade winds blow from east to west along the equator.
• Warm water accumulates in the western Pacific, while cold, nutrient-rich water upwells near South America.

• El Niño Phase (Warm Phase):

• Trade winds weaken or reverse.
• Warm waters shift eastward toward the central and eastern Pacific.
• Upwelling reduces, disrupting global atmospheric circulation.
• Defined when SSTs rise by at least 0.5°C above normal for sustained periods.
• El Niño typically occurs every 2 to 7 years and lasts for several months, but there is no fixed schedule. 

• La Niña Phase (Cool Phase): 

• Trade winds strengthen.
• Enhanced upwelling leads to cooler-than-normal SSTs in the eastern Pacific.
• Reinforces normal circulation patterns.

SOURCES:
Downtoearth
Copernicus
DD News
Nationalheraldindia