If you thought that the weather this winter was wild and unusual, well… buckle in. Sounds like things are going to keep on being wild and unusual!

Earth could be in for a “super El Niño” this year—one so powerful it might end up being the strongest on record. This type of event happens rarely, only once every 10 to 15 years or so. 

While a typical El Niño alters regional and global weather patterns, a super El Niño can have an even stronger influence, driving more extreme weather shifts and high-impact events such as major floods, severe droughts, and significantly altered storm tracks.

A super El Niño influences weather patterns in the same way as a typical event, but its impacts are usually stronger, more persistent, and more widespread. For example, the southern U.S. may see significantly more flooding while the West grapples with a particularly scorching summer with increased risk of drought and wildfire.

On the bright side, a strong El Niño could lead to a quieter-than-normal Atlantic hurricane season, though more tropical cyclones could develop in the Pacific.