El Nino activity in the southern Pacific Ocean over recent weeks will impact upon Irish weather patterns over the coming months. While winter temperatures have been mild, experts have warned that February and March are likely to see increased amounts of rainfall.

The El Nino phenomenon relates to major temperature fluctuations in surface waters of the Pacific Ocean. El Nino activity can alter weather patterns across the globe, especially in the southern hemisphere where floods and storms are commonplace as a result of El Nino activity.

According to Dr John Sweeney of NUI Maynooth, recent El Nino activity has been slight, but has been significant enough to alter weather patterns over the coming months. While this impact will be greater elsewhere, Ireland is likely to see a wet few months as a result.

"Consequences of El Nino are felt in the Pacific and Indian Oceans, and have a lesser impact on the Atlantic, " said Sweeney.

"Typically, it can lead to droughts in southern Africa and Brazil, and flooding in North America. In Ireland, we tend to get stormier winters with increased temperatures followed by increased rainfall in February and March."

Researchers in Britain this week predicted that El Nino activity, coupled with increased global warming, would result in 2007 being the warmest year on record globally.

According to researchers at the University of East Anglia, the coming 12 months will be the warmest ever recorded, beating the current record set in 1998.

A moderate strength El Nino in the Pacific, together with the ongoing effects of global warming, will result in 2007 being 0.54 degrees above the long term average of 14 degrees celsius.