According to Adam Scaife, who heads the UK Met Office's weather forecasts, a strong El Niño could be coming soon and may even reach record-breaking “Super El Niño” strength.
Scientists are increasingly confident this potential El Niño could be very strong, with some expecting temperatures to exceed 2.5°C (3.6°F) and possibly reach 3°C (5.4°F), rivaling the strongest on record in 1877–78.
Experts also say a prolonged Super El Niño could push global temperatures to record highs by 2027. The phenomenon is also linked to shifting weather patterns, including fewer Atlantic hurricanes, hotter and drier conditions in parts of the United States, and heavier rainfall across areas of Asia and the Middle East.
Understanding how El Niño works helps explain why its impacts can be felt worldwide. El Niño occurs when waters in the tropical Pacific become unusually warm, while its cooler counterpart, La Niña, often triggers the opposite effects. These unpredictable cycles can dramatically alter ocean currents, marine life, and weather worldwide.
Curious to know more about El Niño? Click on to find out.