Forecasters predict wildfires, floods, severe heatwaves from incoming El Niño

Scientists warn that the combination of ocean heat and human-caused global warming is leading to more severe climate extremes. The developing El Niño, a natural climate pattern, is expected to intensify heatwaves, droughts, and floods this year. El Niño temporarily raises global temperatures by releasing ocean heat into the atmosphere. However, the main driver of extreme weather is the long-term warming from burning fossil fuels. Researchers note that today’s warmer climate makes El Niño events more damaging than in the past. Studies show that human-induced climate change has a greater impact on extreme weather than El Niño. For example, human-caused warming significantly increased extreme rains in Africa in 2023. This highlights the urgent need to address climate change to prevent unprecedented weather extremes. QUESTION: How might the increasing frequency of extreme weather events influence the way we live in the future?