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Scientists Say Developing El Niño May Increase Heatwaves Droughts and Floods

Scientists stated this week that a developing El Niño is likely to amplify heatwaves, droughts and floods in 2026. They noted that the long-term warming caused by burning fossil fuels has made the consequences of moderate or strong El Niño events more damaging than similar events decades ago.

Inside Climate News
1 source·May 17, 8:50 AM(12 days ago)·1m read
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Scientists Say Developing El Niño May Increase Heatwaves Droughts and Floodsibtimes.co.uk
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Scientists said this week that a developing El Niño is likely to amplify heatwaves, droughts and floods this year. They added that it is not the biggest culprit of climate extremes. The consequences of a moderate or strong El Niño today are more damaging than those of similar events just a few decades ago because of the long-term warming caused by burning fossil fuels.

Berwyn, who covers climate science and international climate policy for Inside Climate News, explains what El Niño is and how it changes weather around the world. He also addresses whether record-breaking weather is becoming normal and whether the impacts of El Niño this year could be permanent. The video is available as a podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and iHeart.

Key Facts

Developing El Niño
Likely to amplify heatwaves, droughts and floods
Long-term warming
Makes El Niño impacts more damaging than decades ago

Potential Impact

  1. 01

    Heatwaves, droughts and floods may increase in frequency or intensity during 2026.

Transparency Panel

Sources cross-referenced1
Confidence score65%
Synthesized bySubstrate AI
Word count132 words
PublishedMay 17, 2026, 8:50 AM
Bias signals removed2 across 1 outlet
Signal Breakdown
Loaded 1Framing 1

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