El Niño to intensify further, with worst impacts on New Zealand still ahead
Scientists say there is a 90% chance El Niño will reach very strong intensity, with peak conditions expected during the 2026-27 summer.
Earth Sciences New Zealand has assessed there is approximately a 90% chance the current El Niño weather event will reach or surpass a very strong intensity level. Peak conditions are forecast to occur during the 2026-27 summer season. The assessment suggests the most significant impacts on New Zealand from this El Niño event are yet to materialise.
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El Niño intensifies, scientists say biggest impacts on NZ yet to come
Earth Sciences New Zealand said there was now about a 90% chance the weather event would reach or surpass a "very strong" intensity, with peak conditions expected during the 2026-27 summer.