An alarming weather pattern is emerging. NOAA doesn’t know what to make of it yet

El Niño is “likely to emerge soon” with an 82% chance of it starting as early as this month into July, and with a 96% chance it will continue from December into February 2027, according to The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Climate Prediction Center. The report, out Thursday, says while there is “still substantial uncertainty about El Niño’s peak strength” this hurricane season—and it’s too early to tell—the summer outlo...