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NOAA Warns 2026-27 El Niño Could Be Costliest

8/13/2026

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Story summary
  • Scientists say the 2026-27 El Niño may be the strongest on record.
  • NOAA gives a >90 % chance of a strong El Niño and expects temperature anomalies above 2.5 °C, currently over 3.6 °C.
  • The warming causes drought in Indonesia, India and the Horn of Africa, rain in Chile, more Pacific hurricanes and fewer Atlantic hurricanes.
  • Economists warn the event could become the costliest El Niño, surpassing the 1982-83 $4.1 trillion loss and the 1997-98 $5.7 trillion loss.