A research team at Seoul National University predicts a "super El Niño" could become the strongest on record, potentially driving record global heat [1].
The forecast is significant because the combination of an extreme El Niño event and human-driven global warming may push planetary temperatures to unprecedented levels [1].
Professor Ham Yu-geun of the Environmental Management department said that strong westerly winds occurred in the western tropical Pacific between late March and early April [1]. These winds pushed warm sea-surface temperatures toward the eastern Pacific, fueling the El Niño phenomenon [1].
The predictions were generated using an artificial intelligence forecasting model developed by the university team [1]. In February 2026, the AI model initially forecasted a sea-surface temperature anomaly of more than two degrees Celsius [1] above the climatological mean for the end of that year.
Six months later, the research team updated the forecast [1]. The revised data suggests the temperature anomaly will approach three degrees Celsius [1] above normal. This increase indicates a more severe warming event than previously anticipated by the initial AI projections.
Researchers said that the shift in ocean temperatures influences global climate patterns [1]. The potential for a record-breaking event has raised concerns regarding the intensity of heatwaves and weather disruptions in the coming year [1].
Reporter Kim Min-kyung of YTN said that the AI-based prediction of the super El Niño was first reported earlier this year [1]. The updated figures reinforce the possibility of an extreme climatic shift driven by the movement of warm water across the Pacific Ocean [1].
“A 'super El Niño' could become the strongest on record.”
The escalation of the predicted temperature anomaly from 2°C to 3°C suggests that AI models are detecting a more rapid accumulation of ocean heat than traditional linear forecasts might anticipate. If these projections hold, the resulting atmospheric disruptions could exacerbate existing climate volatility, making the upcoming year a critical test for global heat mitigation and disaster preparedness strategies.
