El Niño to amplify climate extremes, forecasters warn

Forecasters predict that an incoming El Niño will significantly amplify existing climate extremes, leading to more severe wildfires, floods, and heatwaves. While El Niño temporarily raises global temperatures by releasing ocean heat, scientists emphasize that human-caused global warming remains the primary driver of these dangerous weather events. The combination of El Niño and a warmer planet creates a serious risk of unprecedented extremes, with heat-related deaths already a major global concern. Regions like the Amazon, western US, and Australia are particularly vulnerable to intensified wildfires due to the 'whiplash' effect of extreme rain followed by drought.