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Super El Niño Threatens Record Global Heat
31 Mar
Summary
- A 'strong' El Niño event is predicted for later in 2026.
- El Niño can increase global temperatures and cause extreme weather.
- A 'super' El Niño is not an official scientific term but indicates high strength.
Climate models are suggesting a strong possibility of an El Niño event forming later this year, with the potential to significantly increase global temperatures. Experts warn that this could lead to unprecedented temperature extremes worldwide. The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has indicated a 62% chance of El Niño developing this summer.
El Niño is a weather phenomenon that occurs when trade winds weaken, causing warm surface waters to shift towards South America. This process disrupts normal ocean currents, leading to warmer sea surface temperatures. The last El Niño event, which concluded in March 2024, contributed to record-breaking global heat and a series of extreme weather events.
While a 'super' El Niño is not an official scientific term, it is used informally to describe a particularly strong event. El Niño strength is measured by the Oceanic Niño Index (ONI). A strong El Niño occurs when the peak ONI is 1.5°C or higher. Scientists are also investigating if human-made climate change is affecting the frequency and intensity of these events.
