An intensifying El Niño, described as nature's heat-releasing thermostat, is rapidly heading towards historically strong levels, the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced Thursday.
This natural warming of the equatorial Pacific, which significantly alters global weather patterns, has an 81% chance of reaching "very strong" status – the highest category – by fall, potentially ranking among the most intense El Niños since tracking began in 1950.
