El Niño Has Begun. What to Know About the Weather Phenomenon.

The article discusses the onset of El Niño, a natural climate phenomenon characterized by warmer temperatures in the Pacific Ocean, which is expected to influence global weather patterns, ecosystems, and economies. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) confirmed the presence of El Niño conditions, with temperatures in the Pacific Ocean exceeding historical averages, and anticipates its strength will increase into 2024. El Niño typically occurs every two to seven years and can last from nine to twelve months, potentially affecting weather extremes such as warmer, drier conditions in Canada and the northern U.S., while increasing storm activity in the southern U.S. The article highlights concerns about how El Niño may exacerbate the impacts of climate change, with predictions that this year could be among the hottest on record. [Extracted from the article]