Experts from USA they foresee a ‘superkid‘this 2026 that will modify climate patterns globally, causing strong rains and floods sudden on the west coast of the country and higher temperatures in the east, but it will also act as a protective shield from hurricanes in it Atlantic.
‘He Child‘, which occurs with intervals of between 2 and 7 yearsconsists of an anomalous warming of ocean waters Peaceful equatorial that modifies the patterns climaticcausing droughts in rather humid areas and torrential rains in other arid areas.
These alterations will begin to be observed next summer in the northern hemisphere, although they will reach their maximum intensity in winteraccording to the National Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) of the United States, which last Sunday estimated at a 62% the probability that ‘The Child‘ develops between June and August.
This year could be even more special by the appearance of a ‘superkid‘from Novemberwhich happens when ocean temperatures exceed in more than two degrees Celsius the average historical.
NOAA stated that there is a 25% chance of this phenomenon breaking out, which, however, does not guarantee some more effects devastating.
“A ‘superkid‘ would not necessarily cause more severe impacts. El Niño is one component of many thousands of components. What makes it more relevant is that it is the one that best we can predict“Hosmay López, NOAA scientist, explained to EFE.
Global floods and droughts
At a global level, the Child generates droughts and fires in Australia and Southeast Asia, and strong rains and flooding on the coasts of Americaincluding the Atlantic in the case of USA.
“The opposite would happen in the Great Plains and in the northern half of USAwhere winters would be less cold and much drier. This is very important because at this time there is a continental drought that is affecting practically the entire country, and a winter of El Niño would exaggerate it a little more“, indicated López.
This occurs because the trade winds, which usually they blow east to west and push the hot water towards Asia and Australiathey weaken with Him Childbringing back that water and favoring the formation of clouds.
Good news regarding Atlantic hurricanes
He Child It also affects the hurricane season in the Atlantic and in the Peaceful with opposite effects: while on the east coast it acts as an inhibitor, in the Peaceful oriental -especially Mexico and Central America– accelerates cyclonic activity.
“During the Childthe direction and speed of atmospheric winds change greatly with height, a phenomenon known as wind shear. wind. This prevents the tropical waves coming out of Africa reorganize into tropical depressions, tropical storms, and hurricanes“said the expert.
But the warming of the waters in the Peaceful has the opposite effect, providing the fuel necessary for the formation of hurricanes.
More than a decade since the last ‘Superboy’
Latest ‘superkid‘ occurred in 2015, when the waters of the Peaceful reached their highest temperatures and massive flooding was predicted in California.
However, that did not happen “because there were other patterns meteorological that they did not allow it”, and that the scientist says that they may appear again this winter, altering the forecasts.
“He Child It can be very strong, but if there are other events that occur between now and winter or during the winter that also influence, a winter totally different,” he clarified.
Other ‘Superboy’ years occurred between 1982 and 1983 and 1997 and 1998according to the expert, who specified that it continues to be the subject of study to verify how the climate changealthough it has not yet been reachedconclusive answers“.