The CLEO Institute

Scientists have been tracking unusually warm ocean temperatures in the tropical Pacific for months, and new forecasts suggest this El Niño may become stronger than originally expected. If it reaches the highest category, it could rival, or even surpass, the strongest events observed in modern history.

El Niño naturally shifts weather patterns across the globe, influencing everything from flooding and drought to heat waves and crop production. While every event is different, forecasters say this one has the potential to affect millions of people, making preparation far more important than prediction alone.