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Met Office Warns 2026 El Niño Likely Strongest on Record

8/25/2026

Summary

NOAA Predicts El Niño

UK Met Office warns the 2026 El Niño will be the strongest on record.
Global sea surface temperature hit 21.1 °C on Aug. 22, beating the 2024 record.
NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center gives >90 % chance of a very strong El Niño this fall and winter.
Peru suspended anchovy fishing because warm water and reduced upwelling threaten the stock.
NOAA predicts a 90 % chance of coral bleaching in the central/eastern Pacific within four months.

Summary

Ocean Warming

Reduced oceanic CO2 uptake threatens climate mitigation goals.
More than 190 governments pledged to protect at least 30% of marine areas by 2030.
Amsterdam issued a rare heat alert on June 26 as ocean warming intensifies local heat risks.
The western English Channel experienced continuous marine heatwave conditions for over three years, peaking 7 °C above normal in July.
Arctic waters are warming fastest globally, according to Copernicus satellite records since 1979.

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NOAA Predicts El Niño

UK Met Office warns the 2026 El Niño will be the strongest on record.
Global sea surface temperature hit 21.1 °C on Aug. 22, beating the 2024 record.
NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center gives >90 % chance of a very strong El Niño this fall and winter.
Peru suspended anchovy fishing because warm water and reduced upwelling threaten the stock.
NOAA predicts a 90 % chance of coral bleaching in the central/eastern Pacific within four months.

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