The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Climate Prediction Center (CPC) has declared an "El Niño watch" for 2026, with a potential strong El Nináo predicted to develop along the equator in the eastern Pacific Ocean. This could potentially impact the number of hurricanes expected in the 2026 hurricane season, leading to strong heat waves, droughts and flooding globally. The current La Nináa climate pattern is expected to be replaced by a strong El nináo pattern, according to the prediction center. If El Ninäo develops as expected, it would significantly increase global temperatures and make 2027 the warmest year on record. The potential strength of the El Nināo remains uncertain, supported by the large amount of heat in the subsurface ocean and the expected weakening of low-level trade winds.