Malé experienced its highest feels-like temperature of the year on Wednesday, with the heat index reaching 39.1°C at 2:00 pm, according to data from the Maldives Meteorological Service.
The reading makes September 2 the hottest day of 2026 so far in the capital when measured by apparent, or “feels-like”, temperature.
While conditions were particularly hot in Malé, the Meteorological Service said readings elsewhere in the country remained comparatively normal, with feels-like temperatures staying below 37°C.
Before Wednesday’s reading, the highest apparent temperature recorded in the Maldives this year was 39°C in HDh. Hanimaadhoo on April 6, recorded at 11:00 am.
The latest figure remains well below the extreme conditions experienced two years ago. The highest feels-like temperature recorded in the Maldives was 48°C in Malé on April 1, 2024.
A feels-like temperature, commonly referred to as the heat index, reflects how hot conditions feel to the human body rather than simply measuring air temperature. High humidity can make the apparent temperature considerably warmer than the actual air temperature, an effect particularly relevant in the Maldives due to its tropical maritime climate.
Above-average heat forecast for coming months
The unusually hot conditions come as the Meteorological Service forecasts above-average temperatures across the Maldives between September and November.
The agency said strengthening El Niño conditions in the Pacific Ocean are expected to influence weather patterns over the coming three months.
Although temperatures are expected to remain above normal throughout the country, rainfall patterns are forecast to vary considerably between regions.
Central Maldives, stretching from Malé Atoll to Thaa Atoll, is expected to receive above-average rainfall during the September-November period.
Southern atolls, meanwhile, could experience below-normal rainfall.
The Meteorological Service said El Niño’s influence is already visible in both atmospheric and ocean conditions.
Sea surface temperatures in the Pacific region are currently around 2°C above normal, according to the agency. The Niño 3.4 index, one of the principal measurements used to monitor El Niño, showed sea surface temperatures increasing by 1.8°C last month.
Warmer seas could affect reefs and fisheries
While higher air temperatures are among the more noticeable effects for the public, warmer ocean conditions could have wider environmental and economic consequences for the Maldives.
The Meteorological Service has highlighted unusually high sea surface temperatures as one of the significant risks associated with El Niño conditions.
For the Maldives, prolonged ocean warming is particularly concerning because elevated sea temperatures can place coral reefs under heat stress and increase the risk of coral bleaching.
Changes in sea temperatures, currents and broader ocean conditions can also affect fish distribution and marine ecosystems, potentially creating challenges for the country’s fishing industry.
Reduced rainfall associated with El Niño in some areas could meanwhile have consequences for agriculture, particularly on islands dependent on rainfall and groundwater for cultivation.
Despite originating through changes in the tropical Pacific Ocean, El Niño can alter atmospheric circulation and weather patterns across large parts of the world.
With the phenomenon strengthening, the Meteorological Service expects its influence on Maldivian weather to continue over the coming months, with warmer-than-usual temperatures forecast nationwide through November.
