El Niño

New research published in Science argues that a mega El Niño, with extreme and prolonged climate swings, triggered the end-Permian mass extinction around 252 million years ago, the deadliest extinction event in Earth's history. The study suggests these wild temperature and rainfall fluctuations stressed ecosystems beyond their ability to adapt, offering a new explanation for why the tropics and higher latitudes were hit so hard.

Global temperatures have reached record highs as the El Niño climate pattern strengthens, according to a new report. El Niño, the warming of sea surface temperatures in the Pacific, is pushing average temperatures above previous benchmarks worldwide. The development is drawing attention from climate watchers and forecasters, who warn that a strengthening El Niño typically brings more extreme heat and disrupted weather patterns across large parts of the globe.

California has declared a state of emergency across the entire state ahead of a forecast strong El Niño, which is expected to bring heavy rain, flooding and severe storms. Officials are urging residents to prepare for possible evacuations and property damage, and the move is drawing widespread attention as communities brace for potentially dangerous winter weather.

The New York Times reports that powerful storms are striking both sides of the United States at the same time, with El Niño conditions being credited for the simultaneous weather extremes. The pattern highlights how the climate phenomenon, marked by warmer Pacific Ocean waters, is shaping storm tracks and intensifying weather across the country, drawing attention to its growing influence.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency for Kern County as a powerful El Niño-driven storm approaches the region. The move allows state resources to be mobilized quickly to support local response efforts. Residents in Bakersfield and surrounding communities are being urged to prepare for heavy rain, flooding and dangerous conditions.

California is weighing whether this winter's powerful El Niño-driven storms could bring benefits as well as damage, with officials and commentators discussing how the state might capture the extra water after years of drought. The Los Angeles Times reports on efforts to capitalize on the heavy rainfall, from replenishing reservoirs and groundwater to managing flood risks as the big storms arrive.

The Guardian has published an explainer on El Niño, outlining what the climate phenomenon is, what causes it and whether its risks can be reduced. El Niño is a periodic warming of Pacific Ocean surface waters that can drive droughts, floods and heat extremes worldwide. Coverage of the topic reflects growing public concern about how the pattern may intensify weather impacts.

The Atlantic has yet to produce its first hurricane of the season, and meteorologists point to El Niño as the reason. The climate pattern, which is driving record global temperatures, creates wind shear over the Atlantic that suppresses tropical storm development. Coverage explains the tension between record ocean heat, which fuels storms, and El Niño's calming effect on hurricane formation.

The El Niño climate pattern is influencing weather on opposite coasts of the United States, shaping storm tracks and conditions on both sides of the country, according to reporting by The New York Times. The pattern typically suppresses Atlantic hurricane activity while boosting storms across the southern tier of the nation and altering West Coast weather.