This summer isn't breaking heat records—yet. Wait until El Nino kicks in, scientists say

As summer unfolds, scientists caution that the heat may not break record temperatures just yet. However, the arrival of a powerful El Niño is expected to push global temperatures to unprecedented levels, potentially making 2026 the hottest year on record. While 2026 currently stands as the third hottest year behind 2024 and 2025, climate statistics show that a combination of human-induced global warming and the supercharged El Niño could tip the scales in its favor by the end of the year.

Even if 2026 breaks the record, it's likely to be short-lived, with scientists predicting that 2027 will surpass all modern years for heat, possibly by a significant margin. The world's oceans, which cover 70% of the globe's surface, are the hottest on record for this time of year, and about 82% of the ocean surface is experiencing marine heat waves.

This year's heat waves have been widespread, including in Europe, North America, South America, and India, with some regions experiencing multiple heat waves in a single month. Despite the summer heat, climate scientists emphasize that the underlying cause is not El Niño, but the long-term trend of human-induced climate change, which is driving unprecedented temperatures and extreme weather events.