Climate
El Niño 2026: Already Causing Droughts Across Three Continents, Peak Yet to Come
El Niño 2026, described as a record episode with early onset, is already causing droughts and crop losses across three continents. The climate phenomenon is characterized by warmer-than-average waters in the eastern South Pacific. As of August 12, 2026, impacts are already significant. The peak of this episode has not yet been reached and is expected to occur later in the year, potentially several months away.