NOAA Confirms El Niño Formation in Pacific Ocean on June 11

U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration confirmed on June 11 that an El Niño has formed in the Pacific Ocean near the equator. NOAA stated there is a 63% chance the current El Niño will rank among the largest events in the historical record going back to 1950 during late fall and early winter 2026.

A record El Niño began in 1997 and triggered billions of dollars in damage from heatwaves, floods, droughts, tornadoes and wildfires. ” Columbia University climate scientist Muhammad Azhar Ehsan said northeastern Africa is likely to experience weather whiplash from intense drought to dangerously heavy rains.

Jon Gottschalck, operational branch chief at NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, said El Niño can cause more intense storms with heavier rainfall in the southern United States.

U.S. agriculture industry and that the northern Rockies and Southwest could receive strong summer rains. U.S. Growing states. U.S. economy grows more slowly when temperatures are above normal. Princeton University climate scientist Gabriel Vecchi said large El Niños tend to last longer and that forecasters have all been predicting the same ultra-strong El Niño due to strong early indications.

El Niño often dampens Atlantic hurricane season activity but increases it in the Pacific. Parts of western South America often receive heavy rain, floods and an extra warm summer. India faces more intense heatwaves.

Australia faces drought, wildfires and heat. The drought-stricken Middle East could benefit. Hawaii and other Pacific islands face increased danger. U.S. East and Gulf coasts may receive a break from hurricane activity.

Euronews reported that El Niño conditions formed in a warmed-up Pacific Ocean.