A "super" El Niño is likely to form this year. Here's what could happen in Massachusetts.
CBS News • • world
Key Points:
- A super El Niño, characterized by Pacific Ocean waters more than 2 degrees warmer than average, is likely to develop later this year, potentially becoming one of the strongest events on record.
- This event is expected to bring a quieter-than-average Atlantic hurricane season due to increased wind shear, while the Pacific hurricane activity will intensify.
- Globally, the super El Niño will shift regions of drought and heavy rainfall and is predicted to contribute to 2027 becoming the warmest year on record by raising baseline global temperatures.
- In Massachusetts, past super El Niño events have led to wetter, more humid summers, milder winters with less snow, and reduced hurricane activity in the Atlantic.
- Historical data show that during previous super El Niño winters, Boston experienced below-average snowfall, ranging from about 25 to 36 inches compared to the typical 49 inches.
