A rapidly strengthening “super El Nino” has pushed Pacific Ocean temperatures into record territory months before the weather phenomenon is expected to reach its peak.
And scientists think it could get considerably stronger.
Temperatures in the central tropical Pacific have reached around 3°C above average, depending on the measurement used.
One measure has already surpassed the previous record set during the powerful 2015 El Nino, while another widely used measure is effectively tied with it.
That is unusual because El Nino normally reaches maximum strength around November or December.
An average of 14 climate models suggests the current event could peak at around 4°C later this year.
Anything above 2°C is considered a very strong El Nino, often referred to as a “super El Nino.”
Scientists have described the developing event as “Godzilla-level” and say evidence from corals, tree rings and historical records suggests conditions this extreme may not have occurred for around 1,000 years.
The effects are already being felt.
Indonesia has suffered severe wildfires, India’s monsoon rainfall has been disrupted and drought in Central America is affecting crops and water levels in the Panama Canal.
California is also preparing for potentially severe winter storms and flooding.
El Niño itself is a natural climate cycle, but scientists say it is now developing on top of a planet already made significantly warmer by human-caused climate change.
That combination could have consequences beyond this year.
Scientists expect the extra heat released by El Nino could help make 2027 the hottest year ever recorded.
2026-09-23 00:09:00
