This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies. Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: This year's El Niño has the potential to be one of the strongest in living memory, and the evidence is showing up around the world. The U.S. just saw its hottest summer on record in the Lower 48 states.
Drought is slowing shipping in the Panama Canal. The Pacific is experiencing an exceptionally busy hurricane season, while the Atlantic is unusually quiet. Those are just a few early signs.
Forecasters warn that this El Niño could bring extreme heat, destructive storms and flooding to many parts of the planet through early 2027. I am a researcher who works on climate and disaster resilience, and I study how governments prepare for climate disasters and help identify what they are missing. Community planning for El Niño often starts by identifying infrastructure that's vulnerable to extreme weather.
What can be harder to address are the needs of the populations most at risk, including low-income communities and older adults who may need help preparing their homes and themselves for extreme conditions. As communities prepare for the rising risk of extreme weather, they need to be aware of the blind spots. El Niño is part of a natural climate pattern that appears every few years when temperatures in the eastern Pacific Ocean rise.
Its effects can shift weather patterns away from what is considered normal. Typically wet regions can get unusually dry, while dry areas can experience extreme rainfall that causes flooding. Global average temperatures also tend to rise during El Niño conditions, leaving people facing dangerous heat, both indoors and outdoors.
West Coast, for example, the combination of El Niño conditions with king tides and rising sea levels could lead to more coastal flooding, erosion and damage to homes and infrastructure. In the past, flood damage and landslides from heavy rain during El Niño have shut down highways and affected public services long after a storm has passed. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. d research that matter—daily or weekly.
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