El Niño Is Back — And It Could Be a Big One

In the news: The story

Read a 147-word news story: A Giant Weather Pattern Is Waking Up

A powerful natural weather pattern called El Niño has started in the Pacific Ocean, according to US scientists. It happens when warm water spreads across the central and eastern Pacific, changing wind patterns and disrupting weather around the world. Some scientists believe this could become one of the strongest El Niño events ever recorded. A strong El Niño can cause serious problems for many regions. It can bring drought and wildfires to parts of South America, South-East Asia, and Australia. It can also bring heavy rain and flooding to other areas, such as the southern United States. Because the world is already warmer due to climate change, the effects this time could be especially severe. The United Nations has warned that food supplies may be affected, as droughts can damage crops and reduce harvests. Some experts think 2027 could become the hottest year ever recorded on Earth.

Vocabulary: Words in the news

7 items

Discussion: First reactions

2 discussion questions

• When you heard that a strong El Niño is coming, what was your first reaction — worried, curious, or something else?
• Have you ever personally experienced extreme weather like a heatwave, flooding, or drought? What was it like?

Discussion: Everyday impact

2 discussion questions

• If El Niño causes food prices to rise because of poor harvests, how do you think that would affect your daily life?
• Do you think people in your country pay enough attention to weather patterns like El Niño, or is it something most people ignore?

Discussion: The bigger picture

2 discussion questions

• Some scientists say climate change could make El Niño events stronger in the future. Do you think governments are doing enough to prepare for this?
• If 2027 becomes the hottest year ever recorded, what do you think would need to change — in your own life, or in society — to deal with a warming world?