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NewsWPLG Local 10August 27, 2026Miami-Dade

New study finds El Nino weather events are intensifying due to climate change

A study published in the journal Science indicates that El Nino events are now over 36% stronger than they were before the industrial era, with the rate of intensification accelerating over the last 40 years. Researchers suggest this increase in strength closely mirrors the rise in global temperatures caused by human activity, such as the burning of fossil fuels.

climate changeEl Ninooceanographyscientific researchweather patterns
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Why It Matters

Stronger events increase the frequency and severity of global climate hazards, including heat waves, droughts, and floods, which can result in trillions of dollars in economic damage.

Key Facts

  • El Nino events are currently 36% stronger than they were in the mid-1800s.
  • The strength of El Nino events has increased by 16% in the last 40 years.
  • Researchers analyzed 29 coral fossils from the Galapagos Islands to reconstruct climate history dating back to the year 1100.
  • An El Nino is defined as a three-month average of equatorial Pacific water temperatures at least 0.5 degrees Celsius (0.9 degrees Fahrenheit) above normal.
  • The current El Nino is measured at 2.7 degrees Celsius (4.9 degrees Fahrenheit) above normal.
  • The current El Nino is expected to continue for another two to four months.
  • Some scientists dispute the study's findings, citing conflicting data regarding recent temperature variations near the Galapagos.
  • The study suggests a correlation between human-caused global temperature increases and the intensification of El Nino events.

Who's Mentioned

personJohn Bruno“Marine scientist at the University of North Carolina.”personJulia Cole“Lead author of the study and paleoclimate scientist at the University of Michiga”personMichael Mann“Climate scientist at the University of Pennsylvania.”personBoris Worm“Marine scientist at Dalhousie University.”otherScience“Scientific journal where the study was published.”personKim Cobb“Coral and climate scientist at Brown University.”organizationUniversity of Michigan“Academic institution where the lead author is based.”