Super El Niño continues to strengthen rapidly across the tropical Pacific, with new ocean and atmospheric data showing another acceleration in its development. The latest long‑range forecasts have raised the projected peak again, pushing the 2026 event deeper into historic territory later this year. Behind this rapid growth is an unusually strong combination of westerly winds and subsurface ocean heat. Recent data shows record‑level westerly wind anomalies across the equatorial Pacific, while a powerful Kelvin Wave continues to spread eastward beneath the surface, providing additional warm water that powers the Super El Niño.

The NOAA CRW ocean analysis reveals ENSO‑area warm anomalies exceeding +5°C in the eastern Pacific, peaking at more than +6°C. A 30‑day temperature anomaly change shows a broader warming trend, increasing by over 1.5°C across a vast area. This accelerated growth signals at least three months of further development, with the 2026 event already surpassing the 2015‑2016 super event in speed and strength.

Subsurface temperature anomalies in the top 250 m show a powerful downwelling Kelvin Wave with peak anomalies over 9 °C (~+16°F) above normal, pushing warm water eastward and toward the surface. As this core surfaces, it supplies continuous thermal energy, keeping the El Niño strong into winter.

Record low‑level westerly wind bursts across the western and central equatorial Pacific confirm a sustained trade‑wind collapse, supporting one of the strongest El Niño events in recent history. Continued westerly winds will further sustain and strengthen the super event, driving significant impacts on U.S., Canadian, and European winter weather.