According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, there is a greater than 90% change of a very strong El Niño season during the fall and winter of 2026-27. This could lead to a wetter-than-average winter, heavy precipitation that could lead to flooding and warmer coastal weather conditions. The impact of El Niño can vary widely by region and by each specific weather event.
UC ANR climate scientist Daniel Swain has developed a one-page El Niño Fact Sheet that examines the potential impact of this year’s event. It discusses the current forecast for 2026-27, potential global effects and how this year’s El Niño may impact California.
To help producers better understand and prepare for potential El Niño-related weather events, UC ANR also has gathered several online resources and provides updates on a flood preparedness webpage. The webpage provides links to a wide range of resources, including: