Ask an Expert: What is El Niño and why is everyone talking about it?

ALBANY, N.Y (April 28, 2026) — Atmospheric Science Professor Paul Roundy studies how interactions between the tropical ocean and atmosphere influence global weather, including El Niño.  

Roundy answers today’s question: What is El Niño and why is everyone talking about it?

Roundy: Normally, the eastern Pacific along the equator is colder than areas to the north and south because steady trade winds pull colder water up from below. El Niño occurs when this normal upwelling weakens, leading to warmer-than-average conditions in the usually cool eastern Pacific.

In some cases, the typical “cold tongue” of water nearly disappears. These are known as super El Niño events. While it’s still too early to say for sure if one will develop this year, several signs point in that direction. A large area of warmer-than-normal water is currently sitting in the west-central equatorial Pacific, and bursts of westerly winds are pushing this warm water eastward. These wind bursts are even stronger than what’s been seen in past spring seasons.

The last time something this strong occurred, in March 1997, it led to one of the most powerful El Niño events of that century. With warmer water and stronger eastward currents now developing, there is an increased chance of a strong El Niño this year. Possible effects include a weaker Atlantic hurricane season, a potentially cooler summer in Albany, and a warmer-than-normal winter.

Curious about something — anything? Send us your question and we'll find an expert to answer.