A Heat Wave That Could Make 2027 the Warmest Year Ever

Scientists are alerting the world that a huge El Niño is forming in the Pacific and could reach its peak by the end of next year.
The storm is projected to be even stronger than the powerful 2015‑16 event and may rival the intense 1877 El Niño, which wreaked worldwide suffering in the late 19th century.
The combination of this natural surge with ongoing global warming will push temperatures higher than ever before.

A Glimpse Back to 1877

When the 1877 El Niño struck, it disrupted weather across the globe:

• Droughts appeared in some places while heavy rains and floods hit others.
• Hurricanes shifted, monsoon seasons changed, and crops failed in many regions.
• The result was widespread famine and disease.

Historical accounts describe how thousands died in Egypt, India, China, and other parts of the world during that period. These losses were not merely natural disasters; they exposed deep social and economic inequalities.