“Farmers We Are in Trouble”: TikToker Predicts and Explains El Niño Phenomenon, SA Questions
- A South African TikToker explained a major climate phenomenon in detail and included predictions
- His explanation of the effects of the phenomenon aligned with similar experiences of difficult weather periods from previous years
- Curious South Africans asked questions about what could happen next
Don't miss out! Join Briefly News Sports channel on WhatsApp now!
Source: UGC
A TikTok video by user @sotasmakgae has sparked widespread discussion after the creator broke down the climate phenomenon El Niño, describing it as a period linked to rising global temperatures, shifting wind patterns in the Pacific Ocean, and extreme weather conditions such as droughts, floods, and wildfires.
In the video, posted on 18 May 2026, the creator explains that El Niño typically lasts around 9–12 months and is associated with warmer conditions in some regions and heavier rainfall or drought in others, depending on global wind shifts. The TikToker also shared a prediction that was predicted to happen this year:
"El Niño predicted to start between May 2026 and July 2026....It will last between now May, and until July."
El Niño forms when trade winds weaken across the Pacific Ocean, allowing warm water to shift eastwards, disrupting normal rainfall and temperature patterns across multiple continents, including Southern Africa.
DON'T MISS IT: Stay Away From Fake News With Our Short, Free Fact-Checking Course. Join And Get Certified!
Source: UGC
South Africans remember previous El Niño periods. El Niño to
South Africans also remembered past El Niño periods that brought severe droughts and extreme heat. During the powerful 2015–2016 El Niño, dam levels dropped sharply, and farmers suffered heavy crop losses, food prices increased, and several provinces introduced water restrictions while parts of the country battled one of the worst droughts in decades.
More recently, weather experts have warned that another El Niño cycle could return in 2026 after the region experienced periods of intense rainfall and flooding connected to other climate patterns. A January 2026 report noted that climate scientists were already monitoring conditions closely because El Niño often shifts Southern Africa toward hotter and drier weather patterns, according to a Daily Maverick report.
View TikTok video below:
South Africans were curious about its effect
While experts continue monitoring global weather systems, the TikTok video has clearly turned climate science into an interesting online conversation. People took to @sotasmakgae's page to inquire more:
Bra-Men said:
“In South Africa, what do you think will happen?”
Tinah Hunadi replied:
“I just wish we got a warmer winter.”
Nelisile NaNkosi asked:
“Didn't we have El Niño back in the years?”
Vusumuzi Karma Nhlap corrected:
“It starts on November fam.”
J U P I T E R commented:
“El Niño, we learned about this in Grade 11 Geography.”
Lerato Pretty Lee said:
“I’ve learned something from TikTok today, thank you.”
MirriamJasmine asked:
“Does that mean we will lack water for a long time?”
user3814687762452 stated:
“Farmers, we are in trouble 😢”
More Briefly News Stories on the weather
- Weeks of heavy rain, flooding, thunderstorms, and strong winds across South Africa have left at least 18 people dead, with the Western Cape hardest hit as relief teams continue helping stranded and displaced communities.
- A viral Facebook video showing waves at Fish Hoek Beach appearing to move backwards stunned South Africans, with many blaming “geo-engineered weather” before others explained powerful Cape Town winds.
- SAWS issued multiple weather warnings for severe thunderstorms, heavy rain, flooding, and damaging winds across parts of South Africa.
PAY ATTENTION: Follow Briefly News on Twitter and never miss the hottest topics! Find us at @brieflyza!
Source: Briefly News
