Super El Nino could make 2026 record hottest year: climate monitor
An intensifying El Nino climate pattern set an all-time temperature high in a key Pacific zone in September, raising the possibility that 2026 will become the hottest year globally on record. The warming phase temporarily elevates sea temperatures in the tropical Pacific. September ranked as the second-hottest September globally for Earth, the third-warmest for Europe, and the hottest on record for the United States, while global ocean temperatures exceeded average by a record margin.
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- ✓ An intensifying El Nino pattern set an all-time temperature high in a key Pacific zone in September.
- ✓ El Nino could help make 2026 the hottest year globally on record.
- ✓ September 2026 was the second-hottest September for Earth and the hottest for the U.S.
- ✓ September 2026 was the third-warmest September for Europe.
What changed
The director of the European Union's climate monitor announced that an intensifying El Nino pattern set an all-time temperature high in a key Pacific zone during September.
Live updates
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Super El Nino Could Make 2026 the Hottest Year on Record
An intensifying El Nino climate pattern set an all-time temperature high in a key Pacific zone in September, raising the possibility that 2026 will become the hottest year globally on record. The warming phase temporarily elevates sea temperatures in the tropical Pacific. September ranked as the second-hottest September globally for Earth, the third-warmest for Europe, and the hottest on record for the United States, while global ocean temperatures exceeded average by a record margin.
Why it matters
El Nino is a natural climate cycle warming phase that temporarily raises tropical Pacific sea temperatures and triggers global weather shifts. The current system is continuing to intensify ahead of an anticipated peak in December. Crossing key global climate targets remains a major concern among monitors as sustained high temperatures persist.
What is confirmed
- An intensifying El Nino pattern set an all-time temperature high in a key Pacific zone in September.
- El Nino could help make 2026 the hottest year globally on record.
- September 2026 was the second-hottest September for Earth and the hottest for the U.S.
- September 2026 was the third-warmest September for Europe.
- El Nino will continue intensifying until a December peak.
Still unconfirmed
- Global ocean temperatures exceeded average by a record margin in September.
What to watch next
- The intensity and peak of the El Nino event in December
- Subsequent monthly global temperature readings from climate monitors for the remainder of 2026
confidence 95%Sources used for this update (14)
- www.yahoo.com — Yahoo
- Yahoo — Super El Nino could make 2026 record hottest year: climate monitor
- Copernicus Climate Change — Surface air temperature for September 2026
- Yale Climate Connections — September 2026: 2nd-hottest September for Earth, hottest for the U.S.
- https://eu-space.europa.eu/ — September 2026 was the third-warmest September for Europe
- aapnews.aap.com.au — Crossing Paris climate target 'only a matter of time'
- Phys.org — Super El Niño could make 2026 hottest year on record: Climate monitor
- arynews.tv — Super El Nino could make 2026 record hottest year: climate monitor
- EP Magazine — Global Ocean Temperatures Exceed Average by Record Margin in September
- ua.news — Record sea temperature recorded in the central Pacific — BBC News
- www.ewn.co.za — El Nino Watch: the impacts around the world this week
- www.thestar.com.my — Super El Nino could make 2026 the hottest year: climate monitor | The Star
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