El Niño has officially formed across the equatorial Pacific. This cyclical weather phenomenon, which can drive flooding in one continent and drought in another, has returned.
Even before it officially formed, this event earned nicknames ranging from super to Godzilla. There have been only a handful of very strong El Niños since 1950.
The formation sets the stage for months of droughts, floods, and temperature fluctuations. These shifts threaten communities worldwide, as well as agriculture and energy.
Specific expectations as this potential super El Niño takes shape include a wet winter in the Southwest and fewer Atlantic hurricanes.