Story perspectives
Super El Niño likely strongest since 1950, models say
8/20/2026
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Story summary
- The United States will face a strengthening Super El Niño that is expected to dominate fall-winter weather.
- Forecast models give a 69 percent chance the event becomes the strongest El Niño since 1950.
- Meteorologists expect wetter conditions for the South and California and drier, warmer weather for the northern tier.
- Upper-level lows may increase rain and flooding in the Southwest and Tennessee Valley from late October onward.
