The likelihood of a potentially powerful El Niño taking shape in the Pacific Ocean is rising, heightening concerns that Southern California could be in for an extreme rainy season. There is now an 82% chance that El Niño is likely to emerge over the next few months, up from the 61% chance estimated a month ago. And there’s now a 96% chance that the climate pattern — characterized by warmer ocean waters in the central and eastern tropical Pacific — will be in force this winter, the National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center said Thursday. … While it’s no given that El Niño will bring a potent rain season to Southern California, some previously high-powered patterns have been monsters.

Other El Niño news:

• KSBY (San Luis Obispo, Calif.): A Super El Niño is possible by the end of 2026
• The Desert Sun (Palm Springs, Calif.): New data signals strong El Niño likely — what it means for California
• AccuWeather: El Niño is almost here with increasing odds of it rivaling the strongest in history​