El Niño

New data indicates the current El Niño is the strongest ever recorded, bringing a major shift in global weather patterns. BBC News reports on the findings, which suggest unusually warm Pacific waters are influencing droughts, floods and temperature extremes across multiple continents. The record strength has drawn wide attention as scientists and governments assess impacts on agriculture, water supplies and extreme weather forecasting.

A new report says global temperatures have reached record highs as the El Niño climate pattern strengthens in the Pacific. El Niño, which warms ocean surface waters and alters weather worldwide, is adding to the underlying warming trend driven by greenhouse gas emissions. Scientists warn the combination could push average temperatures to new extremes in the coming months, with implications for heatwaves, droughts and storms across many regions.

Meteorologists report that this year's El Niño is on track to be the strongest ever recorded, surpassing previous events in measured ocean temperatures in the tropical Pacific. Scientists warn the event could offer a preview of conditions typical of a warmer climate future, with potential for extreme weather worldwide. The warning comes as global temperatures have already been breaking records throughout the event.

Powerful storms are striking opposite sides of the United States at the same time, and forecasters point to El Niño as the driving force. The climate pattern, marked by warmer Pacific waters, is reshaping jet stream paths and steering severe weather toward both the West and East coasts, prompting warnings and preparedness efforts nationwide.

A New York Times opinion piece argues that the emerging super El Niño, while expected to bring severe weather impacts worldwide, gives governments and communities valuable lead time to prepare. The author urges using the advance warning to strengthen defenses against likely heatwaves, droughts, floods and other disruptions linked to the climate pattern.

The Atlantic has yet to produce a hurricane this season, and climate outlet Grist attributes the calm to El Niño. The phenomenon, which is driving record ocean temperatures worldwide, creates wind shear over the Atlantic that suppresses tropical storm development. The piece notes the irony that the same pattern raising global temperatures is also canceling Atlantic tropical activity, at least for now.

The Guardian has published an explainer on El Niño, the periodic warming of sea surface temperatures in the tropical Pacific that can drive droughts, floods and heatwaves across the globe. The piece outlines what causes the phenomenon, how it disrupts weather patterns, and what steps communities and governments can take to reduce the risks it poses.

Forecasters say El Niño is driving a stark divide in tropical activity this hurricane season. The pattern has strengthened winds over the Atlantic, tearing storms apart and keeping that basin unusually calm, while warm Pacific waters are generating repeated hurricanes. Meteorologists expect the imbalance to persist as long as El Niño conditions hold through the season.

The El Niño climate pattern is influencing weather on opposite coasts of the United States, shaping storm tracks and conditions on both sides of the country, according to reporting by The New York Times. The pattern typically suppresses Atlantic hurricane activity while boosting storms across the southern tier of the nation and altering West Coast weather.

California has declared a state of emergency covering the entire state as officials prepare for a strong El Niño forecast to bring intense storms. The move allows agencies to mobilise resources, pre-position crews and respond quickly to flooding and storm damage. Coverage of the announcement is drawing heavy attention, with many watching closely as the state braces for potentially severe winter weather.

California is looking to turn a potentially wet El Niño winter into an opportunity, pursuing efforts to capture stormwater from the big storms expected to hit the state. Officials want to store runoff to recharge groundwater supplies and boost reservoirs, rather than letting it flow out to sea, as drought-strained water systems seek any advantage from the pattern.

A study published in Science argues that a Mega El Niño pattern, producing extreme and prolonged climate swings, triggered the end-Permian mass extinction around 252 million years ago, the deadliest extinction event in Earth's history. The researchers say runaway warming destabilised ecosystems beyond what species could tolerate. The paper is being shared widely, with an open-access version of the full text available.

California is preparing for a series of storms linked to the developing El Niño pattern, which typically brings wetter conditions to the state. Officials and residents are watching forecasts closely, with concerns focused on heavy rain, flooding, and mudslides in areas recently affected by wildfires. Weather agencies are urging people to get ready for potential disruptions.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency for Kern County as a powerful El Niño-driven storm approaches the region. The move allows state resources to be mobilized quickly to protect communities in and around Bakersfield. Residents and local officials are being urged to prepare for heavy rain, flooding and potential disruptions as the storm system arrives.

The U.S. Geological Survey is examining how a super El Niño could affect the Midwest region of the United States. The pattern, marked by unusually warm Pacific Ocean waters, typically alters rainfall and temperature across North America, raising questions about flooding, drought and agricultural consequences for Midwestern states.

Asset manager T. Rowe Price is working to ringfence its $165 billion emerging markets portfolio from potential fallout linked to El Niño, according to Bloomberg. The weather pattern can drive food and commodity price swings across developing economies, and investors are weighing how crops, inflation and sovereign risk could be hit. Market watchers are discussing which EM assets are most exposed to the climate pattern.