El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is a coupled ocean–atmosphere phenomenon centered in the tropical Pacific, characterized by quasi-periodic fluctuations between warm (El Niño), cold (La Niña), and neutral phases. It arises from interactions between equatorial Pacific sea surface temperature anomalies, changes in thermocline depth, and variations in trade winds and the Walker circulation. ENSO modulates global atmospheric circulation, influencing precipitation patterns, temperature anomalies, and extreme weather frequency worldwide. It is a primary source of interannual climate variability and is represented and predicted in climate models using indices such as Niño 3.4 and the Southern Oscillation Index, with substantial implications for seasonal forecasting and climate impact assessments.
US forecasters on Thursday predicted the Atlantic hurricane season is likely to be "below normal" in 2026, but cautioned that "it only takes one."
Environment
May 21, 2026
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India's weather agency warned on Wednesday of the risk of upcoming "extreme" heat made worse by the potentially powerful El Niño weather pattern, issuing heat wave preparedness guidelines as temperatures soared.
Environment
May 20, 2026
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The 2026 Atlantic hurricane season starts June 1, and while a developing El Niño might result in a tamer season than in the past few years, all it takes is one big storm hitting a populated area to make it a bad hurricane ...
Environment
May 19, 2026
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Extreme heat and drought could damage harvests and worsen global food insecurity this summer.
Environment
May 19, 2026
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A potentially powerful El Niño could take shape later this year. While its effects are often felt dramatically across parts of the United States and around the globe, experts say the picture for Southern Appalachia is more ...
Environment
May 18, 2026
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Asia's last tropical glaciers can be found near Puncak Jaya, Papua, the highest peak in Southeast Asia. But it is unlikely that they will survive until the end of this decade. Over the past 44 years, the peak has lost 97% ...
Earth Sciences
May 14, 2026
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Talk of a "super El Niño" developing in 2026 is gaining momentum, with concerns rising that this climate pattern could bring extreme rainfall, heat, drought and destructive flooding around the world.
Environment
May 14, 2026
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More than 60% of the United States is experiencing drought conditions, with more than 20% in an extreme drought. Andrew Ellis, a climatologist at Virginia Tech said the current conditions are among the worst in decades because ...
Environment
May 14, 2026
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Artificial intelligence is beginning to transform climate science, not just by improving forecasts, but by helping researchers understand the physical forces shaping the planet's future.
Earth Sciences
May 13, 2026
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A new Rice University study is shedding light on a long-debated question: Can climate variability influence the risk of armed conflict? The answer, researchers say, is yes—but in more nuanced and region-specific ways than ...
Environment
May 11, 2026
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