COUNCIL chiefs are prepared for an ‘El Nino’ weather event in Argyll and Bute this winter, an official has said.
Concerns are growing about significant weather events towards the end of 2026, although the UK weather systems are said to be less affected by ‘El Nino’.
A councillor raised the matter as Argyll and Bute Council approved its winter maintenance policy for winter 2026/27.
The discussion took place at a meeting of the council’s environment, development and infrastructure committee on Friday, October 9.
Councillor William Sinclair (Liberal Democrat, Cowal) said: “I do not know if this is relevant, but there is a huge amount of talk about El Nino. It seems to be that it is coming our way. Have you engaged on that?”
Hugh O’Neill, the council’s network and standards officer, said: “We work with the Met Desk, who give us updates three times a day, and we have a weather manager and winter supervisor starting on October 29 as part of this.
“We are monitoring the weather just now and are well aware of El Nino. We will do everything we can on a day-to-day basis to ensure we support all of our road network.
“But if there is a sustained period, we will be as active as we can and support our areas. For example, if Dunoon gets poor weather [on its own], we will maybe get something from Mid Argyll down to support.
“The weather is 92 per cent accurate and we monitor it three times a day.”
Councillor Tommy MacPherson (Independent, South Kintyre) asked Mr O’Neill: “You mentioned operations and oversight – will you personally oversee this operation?”
Mr O’Neill responded: “I will not be overseeing it as my last day in my current position is today. I am taking on a new position on Monday within legal and regulatory services.
“But I leave it in the capable hands of my colleagues, particularly Calum Robertson, who is recognised throughout Scotland as a very capable winter manager.”
A statement on the UK Government website, published last month, said: “A significant El Nino is likely to occur towards the end of 2026, with some forecasts predicting the strongest event on record.
“The direct effects of El Nino will be felt across the globe and may heighten instances of extreme weather in regions such as India, East Asia, South America, parts of Africa and the West Pacific.
“UK weather systems tend to be less directly affected by El Nino but given the potentially unprecedented nature of this El Nino, these effects are uncertain.”
