What is a super El Niño? Why 2026 could trigger extreme global weather
Scientists warn that a 'super El Niño' could develop in 2026, potentially pushing global temperatures to dangerous levels and triggering extreme weather patterns. A strong El Niño event could temporarily exceed the 1.5°C threshold above pre-industrial levels, increasing the risk of severe climate impacts.
Scientists are warning that a powerful 'super El Niño' could develop in 2026, raising the risk of extreme weather and pushing global temperatures to dangerous levels. El Niño is a natural climate pattern where sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean become warmer than normal, typically occurring every two to seven years. A 'super El Niño' refers to an unusually strong version, where ocean temperatures rise more than 2°C above average, having intense and widespread impacts on global weather. Current climate models suggest a strong chance that El Niño could develop by mid-2026 and intensify later in the year. A strong El Niño can shift weather patterns globally, bringing hotter and drier conditions to parts of Asia, Australia, and Africa, while causing heavier rainfall in regions such as the Americas and parts of South Asia. For India, El Niño is often linked to weaker monsoon rainfall, affecting agriculture, water supply, and overall economic activity.
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