Entity Index

FAO

6 direct matches across organization references, story text, source records, and indexed tags.

The arrival of El Niño in the tropical Pacific Ocean triggers a cascade of changes in tropical rainfall and wind patterns that echo around the globe. For the United States, the most significant impact is a shift in the path of the mid-latitude jet streams. These swift, high-level winds play a major role in separating warm and cool air masses and steering storms from the Pacific across the U.S. This map illustrates the typical impacts of El Niño on U.S. winter weather. During El Niño, the Pacific jet stream is more reliable across the southern tier of the United States. Southern and interior Alaska and the Pacific Northwest tend to be warmer than average, and the southern tier of U.S. states—from California to the Carolinas—tends to be wetter than average. Farther north, the Ohio and Upper Mississippi River Valleys may be drier than usual. One or more of these climate patterns have occurred during many El Niño events in the past. That doesn’t mean that all of these impacts happen during every episode. Every event is somewhat different. In other words, the influence of El Niño on U.S. winter climate is a matter of probability, not certainty. El Niño and La Niña are opposite phases of a natural climate pattern across the tropical Pacific Ocean that swings back and forth every 3-7 years on average. El Niño and La Niña alternately warm and cool large areas of the tropical Pacific—the world’s largest ocean—which significantly influences where and how much it rains there. Like a boulder dropped into a stream, this shift in the location of tropical rainfall disrupts the atmospheric circulation patterns that connect the tropics with the middle latitudes, which in turn modifies the mid-latitude jet streams. By modifying the jet streams, El Niño and La Niña can affect temperature and precipitation across the United States and other parts of the world. The influence on the U.S. is strongest during the winter (December-February), but it may linger into early spring.

global-institutions

Food Prices Rise in July Amid Heatwaves, Energy Costs, and Geopolitical Tensions

UN data shows staple food prices increased by 1% year-on-year in July, driven by climate impacts and ongoing conflicts disrupting key markets.

Aug 10, 2026, 8:49 AM UN News

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global-institutions

Strengthening El Niño Could Push 49 Million More People into Acute Hunger Globally

The UN World Food Programme warns that the intensifying El Niño weather phenomenon threatens food security for millions, prompting urgent calls for increased support to vulnerable communities.

UN News | Aug 5, 2026, 1:50 PM

The World Food Programme (WFP) headquarter in Rome

global-institutions

AI Enhances Food Aid Delivery Amid Somalia’s Deepening Hunger Crisis

The UN’s World Food Programme leverages AI-driven HungerMap Live to better target aid in Somalia, where climate change, conflict, and global shocks worsen food insecurity.

UN News | Aug 3, 2026, 8:05 PM

global-institutions

El Niño Puts Millions in Eastern and Southern Africa at Risk Amid Intensifying Climate Pattern

The United Nations and partner agencies are mobilizing support to help vulnerable communities in Africa prepare for the worsening impacts of El Niño, expected to continue into early 2027.

UN News | Jul 31, 2026, 3:36 PM

Grounded editorial scene illustrating Humanitarian agencies highlight improvements in Gaza’s food security and child nutrition but caution that progress could quickly reverse without sustained support.

global-institutions

UN Warns Gaza’s Food Security Gains Are Fragile Without Continued Aid

Humanitarian agencies highlight improvements in Gaza’s food security and child nutrition but caution that progress could quickly reverse without sustained support.

UN News | Jul 23, 2026, 8:13 PM

General civic government setting without campaign branding or identifiable officials.

politics

Global Hunger Drops to 7.8% in 2025, Marking Significant Decline Since 1970

The Food and Agriculture Organization reports a third consecutive year of decline in global hunger, though conflict remains a major challenge.

Reason | Jul 22, 2026, 9:09 PM

Showing 1-6 of 6 articles.