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A record-strength El Niño event is expected to intensify across the Pacific, potentially causing global food shortages and extreme weather shifts.

A potentially record-strength El Niño is currently intensifying across the Pacific Ocean, with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicting a 63% chance of a "very strong" event this year. This weather pattern is expected to majorly influence global food supplies, with the World Bank warning that rice output could be cut by 20% to 50% in affected regions. Experts warn of a "compound effect" where El Niño, combined with ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, could create a complex situation for global food security. While food prices remain nearly 20% below their 2022 peak, the administration announced that the impact of El Niño could be severe if oil prices rise or grain exports are blocked. In North America, the event is projected to trigger an amplified split-flow pattern, potentially bringing more rainfall to the southern United States and milder temperatures to the northern regions. In San Francisco, the city faces significant infrastructure challenges, as it is currently underprepared for the extreme coastal water levels and potential sewage backups caused by a generational El Niño event.

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