By — Adithi Ramakrishnan, Associated Press Adithi Ramakrishnan, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/science/is-el-nino-making-storms-and-flash-floods-in-the-southwest-worse Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Is El Niño making storms and flash floods in the Southwest worse? Science Nov 2, 2026 4:19 PM EST NEW YORK (AP) — A chaotic climate phenomenon is intensifying heavy rains and floods in the Southwest, experts say. A natural warming cycle called El Niño is sizzling Pacific Ocean waters, leaking moisture into the air that can fuel passing storms. Such El Niño events can happen irregularly every couple of years, but scientists say the latest iteration is particularly extreme. "We've had super El Niños in the past, but this is a super duper El Niño," said meteorologist Jeff Masters of Yale Climate Connections. Grow your mind Subscribe to our Science Newsletter to explore the wide worlds of science, health and technology. Enter your email address Subscribe Form error message goes here. Thank you. Please check your inbox to confirm. The phenomenon wasn't the only cause of the severe storms, but…
Is El Niño making storms and flash floods in the Southwest worse?
In short
The natural warming cycle in the Pacific Ocean is working alongside elevated global ocean temperatures to unleash unprecedented precipitation across multiple states. According to meteorologist Ryan Maue, the region absorbed over 20 trillion gallons of water across Nevada and the Four Corners in just two weeks. Communities from central Arizona to a Colorado ski town have faced evacuations and severe flood preparations. The impacts will likely worsen as the phenomenon peaks in December and influences weather patterns well into next year.
Key points
- Forecasters anticipate the El Niño weather pattern will reach its peak intensity in Decem…: Forecasters anticipate the El Niño weather pattern will reach its peak intensity in December and persist for months.
- Scientists emphasize that baseline warming from human-caused climate change is intensifyi…: Scientists emphasize that baseline warming from human-caused climate change is intensifying the storms fueled by the Pacific warming cycle.
- Residents across the affected southwestern regions should closely track forecasts, prepar…: Residents across the affected southwestern regions should closely track forecasts, prepare in advance, and obey official evacuation orders.