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El Niño could bring 'double whammy' of high tide flooding in 2026, NOAA warns
Scientists are warning that El Niño, a weather pattern forecast to emerge this summer, could bring frequent and widespread flooding even without the presence of storms.
TL;DR
- El Niño, a weather pattern, is forecast to emerge this summer.
- It could cause frequent and widespread flooding, even without storms.
- This threat is amplified by decades of sea level rise.
- William Sweet of NOAA describes this as a "double whammy" of rising sea levels and El Niño.
- El Niño weakens trade winds, warming the Pacific Ocean and raising sea levels.
- The west coast of the U.S. may experience high tides and strong surf.
- The Atlantic coast could see more storm surge.
- The southeastern and Gulf coasts might receive excessive rain.
- NOAA has provided tools like a coastal inundation dashboard for communities to stay informed.