Super El Niño Strengthens, Global Impacts Expected
A very strong El Niño event is currently developing, with sea surface temperatures in the central Pacific reaching approximately 3.0°C (5.4°F) above normal as of mid-September 2026, according to the International Research Institute at Columbia University. NOAA has issued an El Niño Advisory, indicating a greater than 90% chance of the event persisting through the fall and winter of 2026-2027. This phenomenon, often referred to as a 'Super El Niño,' is expected to significantly alter global weather patterns, including increased rainfall in the Gulf States, Southeast, and Mid-Atlantic regions of the U.S., and warmer-than-average conditions in northern states. Historically, such events have also calmed the Atlantic hurricane season while intensifying activity in the Pacific.