El Niño could bring "double whammy" of high tide flooding in 2026, NOAA warns
Summary
Scientists warn that the upcoming El Niño weather pattern could cause more frequent and widespread high tide flooding along the U.S. coasts in 2026. This flooding risk is increased by long-term sea level rise combined with the effects of a strong El Niño.Key Facts
- El Niño is a natural weather cycle that causes warmer ocean temperatures and changes in weather patterns every few years.
- NOAA predicts El Niño will likely begin by July 2026 and last through February 2027 in the Northern Hemisphere.
- High tide flooding happens more often because sea levels have risen over the past decades, making coastal waters higher than before.
- A strong El Niño weakens Pacific trade winds, which warms ocean waters and raises sea levels along the Americas.
- The U.S. West Coast could face higher tides and bigger waves, while the East Coast might get more storm surges and heavy rain in certain areas.
- Past strong El Niños, like those in 2015-2016 and 2023-2024, led to noticeable increases in high tide flooding.
- NOAA recommends that coastal communities monitor their coastal flooding dashboard for the latest flood warnings and water level reports.
- Scientists are continuing to study how strong this upcoming El Niño will be and its specific impacts.
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