El Niño Likely to Be One of Strongest in 75 Years
The US Climate Prediction Center reports that the El Niño phenomenon, which emerged last month, is expected to be one of the strongest in over 75 years. Sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific are 1C or more above normal, with an 81% chance of it becoming a very strong event. Forecasts indicate El Niño will persist through early spring 2027, impacting global weather patterns. In India, it has already led to a nearly 21% drop in hydroelectric generation from a year earlier, affecting the power grid during peak summer demand. The Atlantic is projected to have 8 to 14 named storms this season, a reduction from earlier forecasts. There is only a 3% chance of the Pacific returning to normal by early spring.
Published 2 days ago • 09 Jul 2026, 08:11 PM IST