More frequent extreme El Niño events are likely to occur by 2050 if greenhouse gas emissions continue to increase with one in two becoming extreme. El Niño occurs when water temperatures along the equator in the Pacific Ocean rise by at least 0.9°F above average for an extended period. That change can shift wind patterns and ocean currents, triggering unusual weather worldwide, including heat waves, floods and droughts. If these extreme events become more frequent, society may not have enough time to recover, rebuild and adapt before the next El Niño strikes with devastating consequences.
www.colorado.edu/today/2024/09/25/1-2-el-nino-events-could-be-extreme-mid-century