The Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMet) has cautioned that a very strong El Niño event developing in the Pacific Ocean is likely to influence Ghana’s weather conditions into the first half of 2027.
GMet warns of potentially hotter temperatures, prolonged dry spells and increased dust levels.
According to GMet, the developing weather phenomenon could result in a hotter, drier and dustier dry season from late November 2026, while the risk of sudden heavy rainfall and localised flooding will persist in parts of southern Ghana.
The information gathered detailed that El Niño is a natural climate phenomenon involving the warming of surface waters in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean, which can disrupt rainfall and temperature patterns across the world, including West Africa.
According to GMet, data from its monitoring systems and international climate institutions, including the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the International Research Institute for Climate and Society (IRI) and the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), indicate that the event is intensifying.
The agency disclosed that it is expected to peak between now and January 2027 before gradually weakening during the first half of the year.
According to GMet, previous El Niño episodes, particularly the very strong events of 1982/83, 1997/98 and 2015/16, as well as the moderate 2023/24 episode, demonstrate Ghana’s vulnerability to rainfall fluctuations and their effects on agriculture, water resources, hydroelectric power generation and public health.
Also, the Agency forecasts below-normal rainfall across most parts of Ghana, although some locations are expected to record above-normal rainfall. These include inland parts of the Greater Accra and Central regions, south-western sections of the Volta and Eastern regions, parts of the Bono and Savannah regions, and north-western areas of the Upper West Region.
Temperatures are expected to be above average across much of the country, with relatively cooler conditions anticipated in the south-west and parts of the Volta Region, particularly between Ho and Kete Krachi. GMet also projects that heat stress will be most pronounced between February and April 2027, especially in northern Ghana.
In addition, GMet warn of health and agricultural concerns, stressing that the expected dry and dusty conditions could increase the risk of bushfires, water shortages and stress on crops and livestock.
GMet has also warned of a heightened seasonal risk of meningitis, particularly in northern Ghana, where dusty weather conditions could pose additional health challenges.
The Agency has advised farmers to consult its weather updates and agricultural advisories, alongside guidance from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, before planting or replanting. It has also encouraged the use of early-maturing and drought-tolerant crop varieties where appropriate and warned against bush burning.
Residents, particularly those in northern Ghana, have been urged to minimise exposure to dust and seek immediate medical attention if they experience symptoms such as fever, severe headache or a stiff neck.
The public has also been advised to drink enough water, avoid strenuous outdoor activities during the hottest hours and check on vulnerable people, including children, older persons and those who are unwell. Households and communities have further been encouraged to conserve water and rely on official sources for weather information.
The agency also disclosed that it will work with stakeholders in disaster management, energy, agriculture, water resources, health, local government, transport, minerals and maritime sectors to ensure that forecasts inform timely and location-specific preparedness measures.
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