What can we expect from El Niño? Scientists say brace for the worst.

Key Points:

• Experts at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography warn that this year's El Niño could be one of the strongest on record, potentially causing severe coastal erosion, flooding, and increased sea levels along California's coast.
• Ocean temperatures near La Jolla are at historic highs, with surface water temperatures significantly above average, contributing to reduced marine life like kelp and phytoplankton, and attracting tropical species to the region.
• The combination of warmer waters and El Niño-driven atmospheric changes increases the likelihood of intense storms and "atmospheric rivers," which could bring heavy rainfall beneficial for wildfire suppression but also pose flood and erosion risks.
• Coastal infrastructure, including vulnerable areas in San Diego County and critical rail corridors like the LOSSAN Rail Corridor, face heightened threats from erosion, flooding, and landslides, with long-term costly relocation plans still years away.
• Local governments are preparing for potential impacts by reviewing flood-response plans and clearing storm drains, but uncertainties remain about the timing and severity of the El Niño-related weather events.