A powerful “super” El Niño is developing in the Pacific and could drive global temperatures to new record highs. The climate phenomenon, characterized by unusually warm waters in the tropical Pacific, was officially declared this month by the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). What has caught scientists’ attention is the rapid pace at which it is intensifying. NOAA estimates a 63 percent chance that this El Niño will become a “very strong” event by late 2026, potentially ranking among the most powerful since records began in 1950. Some climate models project sea surface temperatures in key Pacific regions could rise more than 5.4°F (3°C) above average by year’s end. The significance lies in El Niño’s global reach. As the ocean releases stored heat into the atmosphere, worldwide temperatures typically increase. A very strong El Niño can add roughly 0.4°F (0.2°C) to Earth’s average surface temperature. While that increment may seem modest, it occurs against the backdrop of long-term human-caused warming. With the planet already experiencing some of its hottest years on record, this additional boost could push global temperatures into uncharted territory in 2027. The last strong El Niño, in 2015–16, contributed to what was then the warmest year ever recorded. However, today’s baseline climate is substantially warmer than it was a decade ago, raising the potential for even greater extremes. Beyond temperature records, El Niño influences weather patterns worldwide. It often brings increased flooding to parts of South America, East Africa, and the southern United States, while heightening the risk of drought and wildfires in Australia, Indonesia, and northern South America. It also tends to reduce Atlantic hurricane activity. Although no two El Niño events are identical and regional impacts can vary, scientists warn that the climate system is entering a phase historically associated with some of the most extreme weather events on the planet.