Super El Niño breaks temperature record
The gist
A 'super' El Niño has pushed Pacific sea-surface temperatures to a record 3.05C anomaly.
The event could reshape global weather and lift temperatures into 2027.
How it unfolded
- Jun 2026El Niño declared and underway, expected to last until next year.
- Sep 14, 2026Niño 3.4 sea-surface temperature anomaly reaches +2.0°C, the super El Niño threshold.
- Sep 16, 2026Scientists confirm a 'super' El Niño is in progress; Niño 1+2 anomaly near South America climbs to +3.7°C and Niño 3.4 surface water reaches 29.6°C.