El Niño's Early Arrival and Potential Impact on Global Weather.

El Niño has arrived earlier than usual and may be particularly strong, potentially causing extreme weather events in California and across the globe. The odds of a moderate strength pattern developing are 84%, with a 56% chance of a strong event and a 25% chance of a "supersized" event. El Niño can cause warmer, drier conditions in northern states and wetter conditions in the Gulf Coast and Southeast. It may also lead to new temperature records and exacerbate the effects of climate change. California may experience above-average precipitation during its peak, but warmer sea-surface temperatures could create more favorable conditions for harmful toxic algae blooms to form.