An El Niño-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for the US

Summer Weather Outlook: El Niño Weakens, Climate Change Persists #

While El Niño is expected to weaken and fade away by the summer, the relief from scorching temperatures will be limited. The impact of human-driven climate change means that the world is still heating up. Forecasters fear that this could lead to even hotter summers. El Niño’s disappearance will result in a neutral phase before the La Niña phase sets in. Although the influence of these climate patterns on US weather is less pronounced in the summer, the combination of global warming and the transition between El Niño and La Niña could result in above-average temperatures across most of the Lower 48. The Western region is expected to be particularly affected, with higher temperatures and potentially worsening drought conditions. On the other hand, the Gulf Coast to the Northeast may experience wetter than normal conditions, and the Atlantic hurricane season could be more active due to the strengthening La Niña and record-high ocean temperatures.