Scientists say that El Niño is now the strongest ever recorded. This weather event is changing the weather all over the world. On 19 September, water temperatures in the Pacific Ocean were 3.05°C above average. This is higher than the old record of 3.02°C from the 2015 El Niño. El Niño is a natural pattern that happens every two to seven years. These events usually last for about one year.
During El Niño, the trade winds change. Usually, these winds blow from east to west. During El Niño, the winds become weak or change direction. This moves warm water toward South America. The warm water sends heat into the air. This heat changes the weather globally. In India, there was 15% less rain than normal until 22 September. This is bad for farming. In Ecuador, Peru, and the southern United States, there is a risk of floods. In Brazil, Australia, and Indonesia, there is a risk of drought and wildfires.
The weather is very unpredictable. In 2026, there have been no Atlantic hurricanes. This is a new record because satellite monitoring began a long time ago. World leaders are meeting in New York for the UN General Assembly. They are talking about the climate crisis during Climate Week. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said that warming makes extreme weather more frequent. The current warming is very strong because it is 3.05°C above average. Scientists are watching the situation closely to understand these changes.