[category]
[title]
Mother Nature has big things in store for 2026! While the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) has officially confirmed the 2025-26 La Niña is over, an explosive new climate pattern is brewing in the Pacific – and it’s set to disrupt weather patterns across the globe.
Forecasters are sounding the alarm on a ‘Super El Niño’ that could rank as one of the most powerful in a century – but should Australians be concerned? Here's everything we know so far.
What is El Niño?
El Niño is a naturally occurring climate pattern that typically lasts between nine and 12 months. It’s driven by warmer-than-average sea-surface temperatures in the eastern Pacific Ocean, which triggers a weakening of trade winds and a shift in atmospheric circulation. In Australia, this results in hotter temperatures (and more heatwaves), plus a heightened risk of drought and bushfires.
These events occur every two to seven years, with Australia’s most recent El Niño during the 2023-24 summer. However, it’s the 2018–19 event that remains most vivid in our memory, which led to the Black Summer bushfires.
What is a super El Niño?
A super El Niño is an exceptionally powerful phase of the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO), marked by sea surface temperatures in the eastern Pacific rising at least two degrees above normal.
This rare phenomenon occurs roughly once a decade or so, unleashing a global chain reaction in the atmosphere. The result? Potentially record-breaking heat leading to severe droughts and bushfires, punctuated by volatile storms.
When is the super El Niño coming?
It’s predicted that the super El Niño will develop in late winter or early spring, with impacts rippling across the planet well into 2027.
Is there a super El Niño coming to Australia?
While the intensity and impact of the super El Niño is difficult to pin down this early, we can predict what may happen based on past events. The most significant impact to brace for is a major reduction in rainfall across eastern and northern Australia, which could lead to severe droughts and a shorter, leaner snow season. In summer, we can expect more individual days of extreme heat (more than 40 degrees), with prolonged heat waves and heightened fire danger. In the Top End and Queensland, this cycle typically delays the monsoon and reduces tropical cyclone activity.
Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Australia newsletter for more news, travel inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox.