Predictions say the now ‘Super El Niño’ is likely to be the strongest on record, resulting in extreme weather through 2027. El Niño just hit another milestone before we’ve even seen the first major storm of this year’s U.S. hurricane season. And no, we’re not talking about predictions that El Niño is likely to be the strongest on record, or that it could result in extreme weather through 2027, including raising sea levels along California’s coast by as much as a foot, potentially triggering massive flooding and damage.On September 14, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reported El Niño has now officially crossed the threshold of being a “very strong event during the Northern Hemisphere fall and winter 2026-27”—otherwise known as a Super El Niño.
El Niño 2026 just broke a major threshold heading into hurricane season. Here’s what that means for the storm forecast
This story matters because El Niño's strength directly shapes hurricane activity, rainfall, and coastal flooding risk across the U.S. and beyond, affecting insurance costs, infrastructure planning, and disaster preparedness for governments and businesses alike. A record-strength 'Super El Niño' signals potentially severe and prolonged weather disruptions that could ripple through supply chains, agriculture, and coastal real estate markets.
- NOAA has confirmed El Niño has crossed into 'Super El Niño' territory, indicating a very strong event heading into the 2026-27 season.
- Forecasters warn this could be the strongest El Niño on record, with extreme weather effects potentially lasting through 2027.
- Coastal California could see sea level rise of up to a foot, increasing risks of significant flooding and property damage.
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