How a Super El Niño Is Fueling Extreme Weather
A potentially record-breaking El Niño has unleashed a relentless stretch of extreme weather, and experts warn it could last into 2027. Students explore how El Niño works and how communities can prepare.
The potentially record-breaking El Niño has brought a relentless stretch of extreme weather across the country. Experts watching the climate and weather patterns are warning that the effects could persist well into 2027. William Brangham discussed the super El Niño with WFLA meteorologist Jeff Berardelli.
View the transcript of the story.
NOTE: If you are short on time, watch the video and complete this See, Think, Wonder activity: What did you notice? What did the story make you think about? What would you want to learn more about?
Warm-Up Questions
- What are some of the extreme weather patterns that have impacted different parts of the United States over the summer?
- Why are weather conditions unusual in the U.S. this year?
- How does an El Niño phenomenon impact weather in the U.S.?
- When will El Niño conditions likely end, according to Jeff Berardelli?
- Where are oceans heating, and how does that impact El Niño conditions, according to Beradelli?
Essential Questions
If meteorologists can predict some of the impacts of El Niño conditions, how do you think the U.S. can prepare for their impacts? What preparations can the U.S. federal government make? What preparations can local communities make?
Media literacy: What predictions have meteorologists made for the fall and winter where you live? How could you find out if you don't know?
What Students Can Do
How is your community likely to be impacted by the "super El Niño"? Use this tool from the Columbia University Climate School's International Research Institute to find out. The tool can be used to identify regions in North America and elsewhere and the likely impact on heat and precipitation levels in those regions. After using the tool, discuss:
- Is your community likely to experience more or less heat?
- Is it likely to see more or less rain or snow?
- How will these changes create risks in your community? Can you find out if there were any impacts from the previous El Niño in 2023-24?
- How can your community prepare for this potential change in weather?
You may also want to learn more about El Niño here.
Lesson Plans on Climate Change
Explore more resources for educators to find a wide-range of relevant preK-12 lessons on climate change or supporting young people as they continue to lead the conversation around the climate change crisis.
Republished with permission from PBS News Hour Classroom.
PBS News Hour Classroom helps teachers and students identify the who, what, where and why-it-matters of the major national and international news stories. The site combines the best of News Hour's reliable, trustworthy news program with lesson plans developed specifically for... See More
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