Map shows where the 2026 ‘super’ El Niño could bring lots of rain, extreme drought

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El Niño explainer with NOAA climate scientist

El Niño explainer with NOAA climate scientist

(NEXSTAR) – A “super” El Niño is gaining strength as we speak. If the climate phenomenon continues building at this pace, it could become the strongest El Niño we’ve seen in more than 75 years.

Some forecasts indicate it may be the strongest El Niño ever recorded, said Dr. Jeffrey Shaman, senior vice dean and professor at the Columbia Climate School.

But what that means for weather this year depends on where you live. For some parts of the world, El Niño means more wet winter storms. In other places, it can create drought conditions.

A map created by Columbia University’s Center for Climate Systems Research combines multiple models, taking into account this year’s El Niño and other........

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