El Niño forms in Pacific, expected to be 'very strong,' U.S. agency warns

The tropical Pacific is now under the influence of El Niño, a weather phenomenon expected to be "very strong" and last for an extended period, according to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The agency forecasts a 63% probability that sea surface temperatures will surpass the average in the affected area. El Niño typically brings warmer waters and stronger west winds, leading to drier conditions and warmer winters in regions like the United States. However, it can also increase the risk of flooding due to storm surges, particularly along the U.S. West Coast. While El Niño may reduce the likelihood of Atlantic hurricanes, it is associated with a higher chance of tropical cyclones in the Pacific. The NOAA predicted fewer Atlantic cyclones this season but more in the Pacific. The formation of El Niño coincides with an early and intense heatwave across the U.S., with temperatures expected to exceed 37 degrees Celsius (100 Fahrenheit) in most states.

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very strong