Scientists predict that an upcoming “Super El Niño” will make 2026 to 2027 the hottest years on record and bring significant sea level rise to the Bay. An update on Thursday from the National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center said that El Niño is likely to emerge as soon as May and persist through the end of winter. While El Niño, a warming of the ocean, and La Niña, a cooling of the ocean, are natural patterns that come and go every 2 to 7 years, this year’s El Niño could be one of the strongest on record. … Beyond sustained sea level rise, scientists expect major storms and flooding starting this winter. They predict that these storms will be particularly strong as the effects of El Niño compound with the effects of climate change.

Other El Niño news: 

• Yale Climate Connections: Blog: What’s a ‘super El Niño’? And other El Niño questions, answered
• NOAA’s National Ocean Service: Blog: El Niño and high tide flooding, a possible double whammy for some coastal communities in 2026​