The El Niño weather phenomenon, usually associated with rising temperatures, has officially begun and is expected to "gradually strengthen" in the coming months, the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) said Thursday.
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El Niño is a phenomenon characterized by warmer surface temperatures in the equatorial Pacific Ocean, but with consequences for the entire planet. "It could lead to new temperature records" in some areas, NOAA climate scientist Michelle L'Heureux said in a statement.
More information to come.