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ClimateLatin America

How climate change is teaming up with 'Super El Nino'

August 16, 2026

Latin America, Africa and other regions are bracing for what experts say could be the strongest El Nino on record. DW asked climate scientist Zack Labe if the warmer ocean temperatures will help make this the hottest year on record.

https://p.dw.com/p/5ItPZ

Could 2026 become one of the hottest years ever recorded? Climate scientist Zack Labe explains how a developing "Super El Nino" is adding extra heat to already record-warm oceans. The result could be more intense heat waves, wildfires, droughts, hurricanes and marine heat waves around the world.

While climate change remains the main driver of rising temperatures, El Nino can temporarily amplify its effects. DW explores what that means for global weather, wildfire risk and why 2027 could be even hotter.

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