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El Niño 2026
What you need to know about El Niño
El Niño years can be associated with lots of rain in Southern California, though there's no guarantee of a deluge.
And wet winters aren’t always disastrous. What matters is how much water falls within how much time. In fact, going back to when modern records began in 1950, most of the years when we've seen the highest flood-related costs were not during El Niño events.
But there are concerns beyond rain for late 2026 and early 2027.
El Niño this time will coincide with another natural phenomenon — the highest tides of the year in a nearly two-decade cycle known as “the declination of the moon.” We’re reaching the max this winter, according to Scripps scientist Mark Merrifield.
Because El Niño warms the ocean, it also raises sea levels temporarily. On top of that there’s an unprecedented level of human-caused global warming in the mix — that has already raised sea levels by as much as a foot along California’s coast over the last century, and is making normal weather patterns more extreme.
“So we start adding these things up, and they're actually not so small anymore,” said climate scientist Daniel Swain. “The risk of coastal flooding is actually very high and almost guaranteed.”
It’s not only the coast — inland areas, especially along creeks and rivers, are also at risk due to more extreme rainfall driven by El Niño as well as human-caused global heating, Swain and other experts said.
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Now’s the time to take steps to protect your home from heavy rain, flooding and landslides that could come with this year’s potentially historic El Niño season. -
The weather pattern doesn’t guarantee flooding here, but now could be a good time to consider flood insurance, which is not included in most homeowners or renters policies. -
The county offers the service to people who live in areas at high risk for mudflows. I got some useful tips and peace of mind too. -
El Niño’s signature heavy rains could make driving more risky than usual. Make sure your car is safe now, before extreme weather hits. -
This year’s potentially historic El Niño could cause flooding and coastal erosion. Emergency officials want you to make a plan for your household now. -
Forecasters say there's a 90% chance of a strong El Niño in our region this year.
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There’s no vaccine and no cure. And a wet El Niño winter could set up an even bigger mosquito boom.
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High tides later in the year could mean even more flooding conditions for coastal residents and infrastructure that have already been inundated.
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Exceptionally high tides flooded neighborhoods in Newport Beach and Long Beach this week. Experts say even higher ones are likely headed our way in the next few months.
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Here’s where you can get 10 pre-filled sandbags loaded into your car, free of charge, as you prepare for the rainy season.
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The district will monitor weather patterns using information from the National Weather Service and local emergency officials.
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The drumbeat of monster hurricanes in the Pacific has broken a record for nasty long-lasting storms east of the international date line.
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From Newport Beach to Malibu, residents are surveying damage to their homes after high tides and waves inundated coastal communities.
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Damage from Tropical Storm Rachel could have been worse if peak swell, high tide and wind direction had lined up.
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Long Beach is surrounded by a breakwater to protect its harbor, but the massive barrier hasn’t been able to shield homes on the city’s Peninsula from hurricane-charged swells.
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The extended heat wave wanes and rain arrives this weekend. Along the coast, waves and tides are causing flooding and other damage.
