El Niño is set to reach an intensity not seen since the records began, with meteorological agencies on high alert. This phenomenon, characterized by warmer-than-normal sea surface temperatures in the equatorial Pacific, triggers widespread changes in rainfall patterns and temperatures worldwide.

This year's El Niño has developed at exceptional speed, likely causing significant disruptions to fisheries, ski seasons, and water supplies. While some regions like the parched Southwest may see more winter precipitation, the overall impact of this supercharged event is unpredictable.

Declaring an El Niño involves measuring sea surface temperatures in a specific region known as Niño 3.4. NOAA defines it if the ocean temperature exceeds 0.5 degrees Celsius above normal for three consecutive months. Other agencies have their own criteria, but they all point to the same concerning trend.

Super El Niños, defined by at least a 2-degree rise in temperatures, are rare. The 1982-83 and 1997-98 events caused significant damage, including record-breaking flooding in the Colorado River Basin and severe droughts affecting Indonesia and southern Africa.

Modeling suggests this El Niño could be even stronger than the 2015 event, with median temperatures potentially reaching unprecedented levels. The economic impacts are also substantial, with previous events costing an estimated $5.7 trillion over five years.