The Super El Niño is officially here — and scientists say it may be the strongest ever recorded. In this episode, Patrick Kelly breaks down what a “very strong” El Niño means for fall and winter weather, global agriculture, and the future of fresh produce.
We dive into the science behind El Niño — how NOAA defines it, why the Walker Circulation matters, and why the World Meteorological Organization is forecasting a near 100% chance that this event will persist through February 2027. You’ll hear expert insights from UC San Diego, USF, and global climate researchers on what makes this El Niño different.
After the break, we explore how extreme weather, drought, flooding, and shifting ocean temperatures are already disrupting global agriculture. From rising rice prices to volatile grain markets, food insecurity risks, and supply chain pressure, Patrick unpacks how this climate event will reshape fresh produce markets worldwide.
References:
TIME – How El Niño Will Impact Fall and Winter Weather in the U.S.
https://time.com/article/2026/09/11/el-nino-fall-winter-weather-us/
NOAA – El Niño Forms, Expected to Strengthen
https://www.noaa.gov/news-release/el-nino-forms-expected-to-strengthen-say-noaa-forecasters
WMO – El Niño Set to Become Very Strong, Raising Risks of Extreme Weather into 2027
https://wmo.int/news/media-centre/el-nino-set-become-very-strong-raising-risks-of-extreme-weather-2027
The Conference Board – El Niño Reshapes Global Agricultural Markets
https://www.conference-board.org/research/policy-backgrounders/el-nino-reshapes-global-agricultural-markets
Newsweek – How El Niño Could Spark Global Crisis in 2027
https://www.newsweek.com/how-el-nino-could-spark-global-crisis-2027-12331811 (newsweek.com in Bing)
