News

El Niño is ending after a year of driving extreme weather - New Scientist

New Scientist · last updated

El Niño is ending after a year of driving extreme weather | New Scientist

Bolivia’s second-largest lake, Lake Poopo, has largely disappeared Aizar Raldes/AFP via Getty Images

Bolivia’s second-largest lake, Lake Poopo, has largely disappeared

Aizar Raldes/AFP via Getty Images

The El Niño climate pattern in the Pacific Ocean is coming to an end after boosting record temperatures and extreme weather across the planet over the past year. But it is uncertain how soon a transition to a cooler La Niña will bring respite from the heat.

“La Niña should stop that streak of record-breaking temperatures,” says Pedro Dinezio at the University of Colorado Boulder. “If it doesn’t, are our models wrong? Are we underestimating global warming?”

Related Knowledge Center: Climate impact and adaptation

State of Play

As the impact of climate change becomes more pronounced, more governments and companies are adopting adaptation strategies.

More informationabout Climate impact and adaptation