El Ni\u00f1o could bring more severe weather around the world<\/p>\n
Some climate experts are keeping a close eye on the Pacific Ocean.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s all because of something called El Ni\u00f1o, which means \u201clittle boy\u201d in Spanish.<\/p>\n
El Ni\u00f1o is part of a natural climate cycle that occurs in a specific part of the Pacific Ocean every few years.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Experts at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in the U.S. monitor these ocean conditions very closely.<\/p>\n
This year, they are predicting an El Ni\u00f1o, which has the chance to be a strong one \u2014 that happens when the water has a higher than normal surface temperature.<\/p>\n
When the water surface temperatures are cooler, that causes a climate pattern called La Ni\u00f1a, or \u201clittle girl\u201d in Spanish.<\/p>\n
According to the NOAA, these climate patterns usually last for nine to 12 months, but can sometimes last years.<\/p>\n
This is a very early forecast, which means things could change.<\/p>\n
So experts will be keeping a close eye on conditions over the next few months.<\/p>\n
They say we could transition to an El Ni\u00f1o by the summer.<\/p>\n
What\u2019s the impact of El Ni\u00f1o?<\/p>\n
It means that 2026 and 2027 could be among the hottest years on record, according to Zeke Hausfather, a climate scientist at Berkeley Earth, a non-profit climate organization.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt seems like we\u2019re in for a strong [El Ni\u00f1o] with a chance of a super strong El Ni\u00f1o event,\u201d he told CBC News.<\/p>\n
The peak of the El Ni\u00f1o is forecast to occur in November, when the ocean temperature is warmest.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut El Ni\u00f1o tends to cause a global temperature increase a bit after,\u201d Hausfather said.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s because heat that is usually stored in that part of the ocean is released into the atmosphere.<\/p>\n
As a result, El Ni\u00f1o causes the global temperature to increase, in addition to the warming caused by climate change.<\/p>\n
This can impact extreme weather events around the globe, from flooding in some regions to droughts in others.<\/p>\n
Here in Canada, it typically means that conditions may be dryer and warmer than usual.\u00a0<\/p>\n
These effects are usually felt in the winter.<\/p>\n
Watch this video to learn how El Ni\u00f1o works:<\/p>\n
\ufeff\ufeffHave more questions? \ufeffWant to tell us how we’re doing? Use the \u201csend us feedback\u201d link below. \u2b07\ufe0f\u2b07\ufe0f\u2b07\ufe0f<\/p>\n
With files from Nicole Mortillaro\/CBC
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