Johnna Infanti Predicts Very Strong El Niño Pattern Could Reach Peak Intensity by Late Fall or Early Winter
Johnna Infanti, a meteorologist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, reports that a developing El Niño climate pattern is expected to strengthen significantly during the second half of 2026. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration indicates that sea-surface temperatures in the tropical Pacific are already established and are projected to intensify, potentially reaching a 'very strong' status. While some meteorologists use the term 'super' El Niño to describe events where temperature anomalies exceed 2 degrees Celsius, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration classifies the current trend as very strong. This climate pattern influences global weather by shifting the jet stream and altering rainfall and storm tracks. In the United States, strong El Niño events typically bring wetter conditions to the South and California, while the northern tier of states may experience warmer-than-average temperatures. Forecasters are monitoring subsurface heat and atmospheric coupling to determine the exact impacts, as the 2026-27 season could result in one of the strongest events on record.