Why in the News
Forecasters, including NOAA Climate Prediction Center, warn of a possible El Niño in 2026, with chances it could intensify into a “super El Niño”, potentially pushing global temperatures to new highs.
What is El Niño?
- A warm phase of the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO)
- Occurs when Pacific Ocean surface waters become warmer than normal
What is a “Super El Niño”?
- When sea surface temperature rises ≥ 2°C above average
- Much stronger than normal El Niño
- Rare events: Last major one: 2015–16
Current Situation
- Present phase: La Niña (cool phase) is ending
- Forecast: ~62% chance of El Niño by mid-2026 and ~15% chance of super El Niño
How El Niño Works
- Warm water shifts toward eastern Pacific
- Weakens trade winds
- Alters global weather systems
| [2011] La Niña is suspected to have caused recent floods in Australia. How is La Niña different from El Niño? 1. La Niña is characterized by unusually cold ocean temperature in the equatorial Indian Ocean whereas El Niño is characterized by unusually warm ocean temperature in the equatorial Pacific Ocean. 2. El Niño has an adverse effect on the southwest monsoon of India, but La Niña has no effect on monsoon climate. Select the correct answer: (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 |
