Super El Niño Could Make 2027 the Hottest Year Yet

Forecast models show a 'super' El Niño is increasingly likely by late 2026 into 2027, with central Pacific sea-surface temperatures possibly 2–4 C above average (extreme scenarios near 4 C). This would raise global temperatures and intensify heat waves, droughts, heavy rainfall and other extreme weather; 2026 is already on track to be among the warmest years, and 2027 could become the hottest on record. While confidence grows, the spring predictability barrier means some uncertainty remains, and the exact outcome will unfold in the coming weeks as monitoring continues.