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80% Chance El Niño by 2026 as Ocean Hits Record

8/12/2026

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Summary

Story summary

NOAA Climate Prediction Center says there is an 80% chance a strong El Niño will develop by end-2026, the largest since 1950.
Copernicus reported July ocean temperatures of 20.96 °C, the hottest month on record, and called it a “super El Niño.”
Meteorologists Paul Pastelok said the El Niño makes a wetter, snowier winter in Colorado and Utah and could raise Lake Mead, while Daniel Swain warned year won’t fix the Colorado River shortage.

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Story summary

NOAA Climate Prediction Center says there is an 80% chance a strong El Niño will develop by end-2026, the largest since 1950.
Copernicus reported July ocean temperatures of 20.96 °C, the hottest month on record, and called it a “super El Niño.”
Meteorologists Paul Pastelok said the El Niño makes a wetter, snowier winter in Colorado and Utah and could raise Lake Mead, while Daniel Swain warned year won’t fix the Colorado River shortage.