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.
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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Malaysia is resorting to cloud seeding to bring much-needed rain to the country's "rice bowl" north, where a drought has delayed planting of the staple crop and raised supply fears.
Environment
May 8, 2026
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The European Union's climate monitor said Friday that ocean temperatures are edging toward record highs as conditions shift toward a potentially powerful El Niño weather pattern.
Environment
May 8, 2026
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In 2023 and 2024, Earth's average global surface temperature spiked nearly 0.3 degrees Celsius above what was already expected from climate change. Each year was declared the hottest on record and coincided with deadly wildfires, ...
Earth Sciences
May 6, 2026
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Florida State University researchers have discovered how to accurately predict winter weather forecasts months in advance, affording sectors such as agriculture, water management, energy use and public health a longer lead ...
Earth Sciences
May 5, 2026
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Already reeling from the effects of conflict in the Middle East, Asia is now facing the prospect of strong El Niño conditions that could spike energy demand, sap hydropower, and damage crops.
Environment
May 5, 2026
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Europe endured a historic heatwave across Nordic countries, shrinking glaciers and record sea temperatures in 2025 as the fast-warming continent faces more frequent climate extremes, a new report showed Wednesday.
Environment
Apr 29, 2026
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