Scientists report that El Niño has formed in the Pacific Ocean and is expected to strengthen to unusually high levels. Multiple outlets cite U.S. meteorological authorities saying the pattern is already present and will likely grow over coming months. El Niño is described as a natural warming of parts of the equatorial Pacific that shifts global weather by altering winds and rainfall patterns. Because Earth is already warming due to greenhouse gas pollution, researchers say El Niño can further raise temperatures and increase the likelihood of extreme conditions. The reported risks highlighted across sources include more intense heat and drought in some regions, heavier rainfall and flooding in others, and a greater chance of fires where heat and dryness coincide. Outlets also note that El Niño can influence weather around the world for roughly the next year or so, depending on its evolution. Several sources characterize the expected strength as potentially near-historic levels, emphasizing that the impacts will vary by location but could be severe. Overall, coverage focuses on the formation announcement and the expectation that it will amplify weather extremes through the remainder of the year and beyond.