Coldest winter ahead: La Niña set to hit in 2025-26

ISLAMABAD: Meteorologists are predicting that the winter of 2025-26 could be the coldest in recent history, with growing evidence pointing to the return of La Nina, a climate phenomenon that causes ocean temperatures in the Pacific Ocean to become colder than normal.

La Nina is known to disrupt air circulation and jet stream patterns, often resulting in significantly colder weather, longer frosts, and more intense snowfall in many parts of the world.

Leading weather agencies, including the U.S. Climate Prediction Center, have issued alerts based on changes in sea temperatures that are expected to lead to La Nina conditions in the coming months.

If forecasts hold, many areas could experience early winter, heavy frosts, and snowfall at higher elevations.

Meteorologists warn that even a mild La Niña event could cause significant drops in temperatures, potentially affecting daily life, agriculture and local economies.

The effects of the cold weather could be felt in many countries, especially those not normally accustomed to severe winter conditions.