For months, the world has been watching El Niño develop at breakneck speed. Now, sea surface temperatures in the central equatorial Pacific have surpassed levels observed during any previous event, officially making this El Niño the strongest on record.

El Niño is rapidly strengthening in the Pacific, and forecasters say there is now a 75% chance it could reach historic levels. Here's what that could mean for winter across the U.S.

Curious how the forthcoming El Niño will affect winter or hurricane season? Here are answers to your FAQs.

California’s governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency ahead of a potentially historic El Niño. In a statement released Sept. 22, Newsom said the declaration is meant to ensure communities have the resources they need to handle the impacts expected this winter.

A strengthening Super El Niño is set to bring potentially warmer and drier weather to Oregon and Washington while increasing the risk of storms, flooding, and erosion in Southern California during

"That part of the eastern Pacific is notorious during El Niño years."

La Jolla Shores, Tourmaline Surf Park, Mission Beach, Ocean Beach, and Sunset Cliffs have been identified as critical project sites.

The newest three-month forecast just issued follows the El Niño playbook.