US heading for unprecedented El Niño winter: Here's what to expect
A supercharged El Niño is associated with extreme winter weather.
The ongoing El Niño has reached a record-breaking intensity, threatening to cause disruptive weather patterns and humanitarian crises worldwide. This powerful El Niño event, which began in June, is already stronger than any previous occurrence since 1950, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). With a 75% chance of surpassing all prior El Niños, scientists are expressing concern over the potential for severe climate consequences.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts a more than 90% likelihood of a very strong El Niño event developing in the fall and winter, with temperatures in the eastern Pacific rising 3.8°F (2.1°C) above average - surpassing the 3.6°F (2°C) threshold for a "super" El Niño. This intense weather pattern is expected to bring stormy conditions to the West Coast, increased rainfall and snow across California and Southern states, and milder winters in the Northern states.
El Niño also raises the risk of coastal flooding, particularly on the West Coast. While the impacts of this super El Niño are likely to be felt globally, their effects vary across regions. The last super El Niño in 1997-1998 was associated with record droughts, hurricanes, and extreme weather events in various parts of the world.
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