Summer 2026 is expected to bring a volatile mix of heat, severe thunderstorms and flooding to the United States, with El Niño developing and flexing its influence on the weather pattern. … Flooding can also be a concern in the Southwest and southern Rockies when the North American monsoon ramps up and tropical moisture surges northward. … While flooding is a concern in some parts of the country, drought is expected to worsen in others. Drought conditions are likely to expand across the Northwest and Northern California. … Moisture could start to arrive near the end of June, which is slightly earlier than normal. That may bring some welcome relief to the Southwest after a hot, dry start to the summer. 

Other El Niño news:

• The Desert Sun (Palm Springs, Calif.): California summer forecast points to hotter weather with average rain​