El Niño: What could it mean for Kent’s wildlife?

It would be easy to think of the weather as something that happens just outside our window. But the Earth's atmosphere and oceans don't work quite like that.

A change in sea temperatures thousands of miles away can influence winds, rainfall, and temperatures across the globe – including here in the UK.

That's where El Niño comes in.

You may have heard about the unusually strong El Niño developing in the Pacific Ocean. The latest observations from the Met Office show that this event has now surpassed previous records in the observational record, making it an exceptionally strong El Niño.

But what exactly is El Niño? And what could it mean for wildlife and wild places here in Kent?

Let's take a closer look...

What is El Niño?

El Niño is a naturally occurring climate pattern that begins in the tropical Pacific Ocean.

During an El Niño event, sea-surface temperatures in parts of the central and eastern equatorial Pacific become warmer than usual. This changes atmospheric circulation and, in turn, can influence rainfall, temperatures, and weather patterns across other parts of the world.

The opposite phase of this cycle is known as La Niña, when sea-surface temperatures in this part of the Pacific are cooler than average.

Both are part of a wider climate pattern called the El Niño-Southern Oscillation, or ENSO.

Is it caused by climate change?

El Niño isn't a new phenomenon, and is a natural part of the climate system.

Research is ongoing and a definitive conclusion has not yet been reached, but recent studies suggest that global warming may be leading to stronger El Niño events.

What we can definitively say has changed, however, is the climate and context in which it is happening.

Human activities have warmed the planet, meaning natural climate variations such as El Niño are now occurring against a warmer background. Strong El Niño events can also temporarily increase global average temperatures by releasing heat from the ocean into the atmosphere.

You can learn more about the science behind these weather patterns from the Met Office here.

Why is everyone talking about El Niño now?

The current El Niño is unusually strong.

The Met Office has reported that sea-surface temperatures in the central equatorial Pacific have already exceeded the levels recorded during previous El Niño events in its observational record – and the event is still developing towards its seasonal peak.

You may have seen it described as a ‘Super El Niño’ or an ‘unprecedented’ El Niño for that reason.

These aren't new scientific categories. They're ways of describing just how unusual the current event is.

And while the Pacific Ocean might feel a long way from Kent, its influence can travel much further than you might expect...

What does El Niño mean for UK weather?

El Niño doesn't control the UK's weather; our weather is influenced by lots of different factors, including atmospheric pressure, the jet stream, and conditions across the Atlantic and Arctic.

What El Niño can do is change the likelihood of certain weather patterns.

The latest Met Office outlook suggests there is an increased likelihood of wetter conditions across the UK during autumn, with wetter and stormier conditions more likely as we move towards late autumn and early winter.

Later in the winter, El Niño is also associated with an increased risk of cold snaps.

While we can't predict exactly what it will be like, we do know that El Niño can tilt the odds and create the 'perfect storm' for certain conditions.

So, what could this mean for Kent?

This is a particularly interesting question for us because Kent has had an exceptionally dry year.

As of September 2026, the Kent and South London area remains in drought status. Despite rainfall during August and September, many rivers and groundwater sources remain below normal for the time of year, and the water situation is still under pressure.

It follows, then, that a wetter autumn could be welcome news for our landscapes – but it doesn't mean that drought conditions will disappear overnight.

When rain falls after a prolonged dry period, various factors affect how much actually reaches rivers, groundwater, and reservoirs. Heavy rain can also run quickly over dry or compacted ground (common after drought) rather than soaking into the landscape.

So, even if we see a wetter autumn, it could take much longer for our water systems and ecosystems to fully recover. This is why healthy and resilient habitats are so vital.

Image by Luis Iranzo Navarro-Olivares

Wetlands: making space for water

Wetlands are some of nature's best water managers!

Their soils and vegetation can hold onto water, slowing its movement through the landscape. This can help reduce flooding downstream while creating the wet conditions that an incredible range of wildlife depends upon.

Here in Kent, we've seen the benefits of restoring these natural processes at places such as Ham Fen, where beavers have been working as ‘ecosystem engineers’ at the reserve for more than two decades. They've built dams, created pools and wetlands, and changed the way water moves through the landscape. Their work has helped raise water levels and restore areas of valuable peat fen.

Recently, we've welcomed an exciting new chapter for Ham Fen. In September 2026, Kent Wildlife Trust removed the enclosure barrier, allowing the beavers to move freely beyond the reserve and play their natural role across the wider landscape.

It's a brilliant example of what can happen when we give nature a little more room to do what nature does best.

©️ Alan Boulter

What about Kent's coast?

We have a long and varied coastline, including mudflats, salt marshes, shingle beaches, and estuaries. These habitats are dynamic by nature. Tides, waves, wind, and sediment are constantly reshaping them.

Stormier weather can put additional pressure on coastal habitats, particularly when strong winds coincide with high tides and storm surges.

But, like wetlands, healthy coastal habitats can also help protect the land behind them!

Salt marshes and mudflats can absorb wave energy and trap sediment, helping to reduce the impact of flooding and erosion. They also provide vital habitat for birds, fish, invertebrates, and specialist plants.

So, when we protect a salt marsh, we're not just protecting somewhere beautiful to explore – we're protecting a living part of our coastline that can help both people and wildlife adapt to a changing climate.

Learn more about why salt marshes are important here.

© Nik Mitchell

And what about wildlife?

A particularly wet autumn and winter could change the availability of food, alter water levels, and influence where animals can find shelter.

For wetland species, more water can create valuable habitat. For others, prolonged rainfall, strong winds, or flooding could make finding food and shelter more difficult. The effects can also ripple through food webs. If, for example, weather conditions change the abundance or behaviour of plants and invertebrates, this can have consequences for the animals that feed on them.

There's also the fact that a strong El Niño this year affects the weather next year, too. Next summer (2027) is expected to be record-breaking again, which will undoubtedly have its own impacts on wildlife.

Of course, wildlife has always experienced changing weather. The challenge comes when natural fluctuations occur alongside longer-term changes to our climate and the loss and fragmentation of habitats.

This is why connected, wildlife-rich landscapes are so important. The more healthy habitats we have, and the better connected they are, the more opportunities wildlife has to move, find food and shelter, and adapt as conditions change.

For Kent, it's important we don't just think of this El Niño as a one-off problem to prepare for. Instead, it is another reminder of why building resilience into our landscapes matters.

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