Global temperatures rise as Super El Niño intensifies

The Earth is currently tracking towards its hottest year on record, following an extreme summer. Data from the first eight months of 2026 shows global average temperatures are 1.22°C above baseline levels, positioning 2026 as potentially the warmest year in history, surpassing 2024. Meteorologists attribute this trend to the strengthening of the "Super El Niño" phenomenon, which has caused sea surface temperatures in the Niño 3.4 region of the Pacific to deviate by up to 3°C from 1991–2020 averages.

Experts from the Climate Impact Lab and the University of Chicago warn that these extreme conditions could have severe consequences. A study suggests that over 451,000 people are at risk of death due to heat-related factors between September 2026 and February 2027. Scientists describe the current intensity as "Godzilla-level," noting that while the phenomenon typically peaks between October and February, current indicators are already exceeding previous historical benchmarks observed in 2015. With the impact likely to persist through mid-2027, researchers and meteorologists expect conditions to worsen significantly in the coming months.