Strongest El Niño on Record Triggers California State of Emergency and Is Already Affecting Global Weather Patterns

Scientists say this is now the strongest El Niño on record, a natural ocean-warming cycle in the Pacific that reshapes weather worldwide. California has declared a state of emergency, directing state agencies to prepare roads, infrastructure, and emergency supplies ahead of expected flooding, landslides, and coastal erosion this winter. Sea levels off California could rise by a foot in the coming days due to a surge of warm water called a Kelvin wave, on top of 8 inches of rise already caused by climate change. High tides around Thanksgiving and Christmas, combined with storms, could push coastal flooding higher still.

For homeowners in California and the broader Southwest, seasonal forecasts point to an above-average rainy winter, which could ease ongoing drought but also raises the risk of flooding and landslides similar to the severe El Niño winter of 1998. That said, El Niño's effects aren't guaranteed — during the last major event in 2015-2016, California actually saw a slightly drier winter than usual. If you're in a flood-prone or coastal area, it's worth knowing your home's exposure to these risks this season.

Beyond the West Coast, this El Niño is shifting rainfall patterns globally, contributing to drought in places like Indonesia, parts of Brazil, and southern Africa, while increasing rain in South America. It's also linked to a quiet Atlantic hurricane season and a busier one in the East Pacific. Scientists expect global food prices and heat-related health risks to rise over the next year as the event releases stored ocean heat into the atmosphere.