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Scientists are following with concern the possible development of a powerful "Super El Niño" phenomenon, which could make next year the hottest on record and significantly affect atmospheric conditions and the global economy.
El Niño is a natural climate phenomenon that occurs when sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean remain above normal levels for an extended period. Experts warn that a particularly strong episode could trigger extreme weather events, food shortages and humanitarian crises in various regions of the world.
NASA has already identified the first signs of the phenomenon's development through satellite observations. Data from 2026 show that large masses of warmer-than-usual water, stretching for hundreds of kilometers, have appeared in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of South America.
According to the US space agency, rising sea levels in certain areas are an indicator of warming waters, as water expands when its temperature increases.
A key role in monitoring the situation is played by the Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich satellite, launched into orbit in 2020, which measures the height of the ocean surface with high precision every ten days.
Scientists are particularly watching so-called Kelvin warm waves, which are considered an important indicator of the development of El Niño. These form when the easterly winds that usually blow over the equatorial Pacific weaken or are temporarily replaced by westerly winds.
This change favors the accumulation of warmer waters in the Western Pacific and their movement eastward, further intensifying ocean warming.
Sentinel-6 program scientist Josh Willis stated that this year's phenomenon began later compared to the strong episodes of 1997 and 2015, but is showing signs of strengthening that are being closely monitored.
Historically, strong El Niño episodes have been linked to devastating floods, cyclones, long droughts and large forest fires. The 1997 phenomenon is considered the most powerful ever recorded, causing an estimated 23,000 deaths worldwide and tens of billions of dollars in economic damage.
El Niño is caused by changes in the behavior of the trade winds, which normally blow from east to west along the equator. When these winds weaken or change direction, the normal balance of the ocean is disrupted and the waters in the eastern Pacific warm more than normal, changing precipitation and atmospheric circulation patterns on a global scale.
Scientists estimate that the coming months will be crucial in determining whether the phenomenon will evolve into one of the strongest El Niño episodes in recent decades.
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