El Niño Officially Declared by Japan and US Agencies, Expected to Intensify

Japan's Meteorological Agency (JMA) officially declared the onset of El Niño on June 12, 2026, following a similar warning from the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) on June 11, 2026. Scientists anticipate this El Niño could intensify to historic strength, influencing global temperature and rainfall patterns and increasing the risk of extreme weather. Colorado State University has updated its Atlantic hurricane season forecast, predicting fewer storms due to the developing El Niño.