Jump to contentSwipe for next articleIndependent Bulletin homepageDownload our appAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleJulia MustoSaturday 22 August 2026 00:22 BSTEl Niño: What it is, how it affects our weatherWeather experts warn that the current El Niño event could be the strongest in a lifetime due to unusually warm Pacific Ocean temperatures.The weather pattern is already suppressing Atlantic hurricane activity and is expected to bring lingering fall heat to northern and eastern U.S. states.Drenching storms, snow, sleet, and freezing rain are projected across the southern United States, Southeast and southern Plains.Environmental policy experts caution that anticipated winter precipitation will provide minimal relief to the American West's long-term water crisis.Forecasters report a 90 percent chance that El Niño strength levels could peak in coming years, threatening unprecedented global temperatures and extreme weather.In fullThis year’s devastating El Niño event could be the ‘strongest in a lifetime’More bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in