--- title: "Super El Niño drives record ocean temperatures and sea level rise in 2026" publication: "MediaBias News" url: "https://mediabias.news/climate/super-el-nino-drives-record-ocean-temperatures-and-sea-level-rise-in-2026" api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/super-el-nino-drives-record-ocean-temperatures-and-sea-level-rise-in-2026" markdown: "https://mediabias.news/climate/super-el-nino-drives-record-ocean-temperatures-and-sea-level-rise-in-2026.md" audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/super-el-nino-drives-record-ocean-temperatures-and-sea-level-rise-in-2026" category: "Climate" area: "Asia-Pacific" published: "2026-08-12T16:46:41.570Z" source_reported: "2026-08-12T13:00:00.000Z" updated: "2026-08-12T16:46:41.570Z" trust_score: 86 critic_score: 95 hype_score: 35 assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis" fact_check_status: "not-performed" coverage_measured: "2026-08-12T16:45:17.670435+00:00" --- # Super El Niño drives record ocean temperatures and sea level rise in 2026 *The 2023 to 2024 event caused a 7.70 mm rise in global mean sea level, mostly from land water reaching the ocean* **Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): - Trust 86 of 100, higher is better. Includes named experts and cited datasets, giving concrete sources. - Craft 95 of 100, higher is better. Quotes activists, provides specific figures, explains relevance, and separates facts from commentary. - Hype 35 of 100, lower is better. Many headlines are sensational, but the core reporting remains factual. Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology. **The short version** - The 2023 to 2024 El Niño caused a 7.70 mm rise in global mean sea level, with 81% of the increase driven by water moving from land to the ocean, as reported by Phys.org. - Record ocean temperatures in July 2026 reached 20.96°C, surpassing the previous July high of 20.89°C, according to the Copernicus Climate Change Service via IBTimes UK. - NOAA forecasts an 81% chance of a very strong El Niño from October to December 2026, with sea surface temperature anomalies exceeding 2.0°C, as Phys.org reported. - 350.org estimates 49 million people may face acute hunger due to the El Niño, while oil and gas companies earned $93 billion in Q2 profits, as published by Common Dreams. The 2023 to 2024 El Niño event caused a 7.70 mm rise in global mean sea level, according to a study published in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans and reported by Phys.org. The increase was driven primarily by barystatic sea level rise, which occurs when water moves from land and ice into the ocean. This accounted for 6.26 mm, or 81% of the total rise. The 2023 to 2024 event followed a similar pattern to the 2014 to 2016 El Niño, which caused a 9.16 mm rise. However, the 2023 to 2024 rise occurred over a shorter period, resulting in a steeper rate of increase. Both events saw sea surface temperature anomalies in the Niño 3.4 region peak above 2.0°C. The Indian Ocean Dipole, a climate phenomenon that shifts sea surface temperatures, coincided with the 2023 to 2024 El Niño, amplifying its effects. In July 2026, global average sea surface temperatures reached 20.96°C, breaking the previous July record of 20.89°C set in 2023, as reported by IBTimes UK citing the Copernicus Climate Change Service. NOAA forecasts an 81% chance of a very strong El Niño from October to December 2026, with sea surface temperature anomalies exceeding 2.0°C, according to Phys.org. The humanitarian impact of the El Niño has been severe. 350.org reported that 49 million people may face acute hunger due to the event, as published by Common Dreams. The organisation also stated that oil and gas companies earned $93 billion in second-quarter profits. Drought conditions have affected agriculture in the Caribbean, Indonesia, and the United Kingdom, while East Africa faces both drought and the threat of severe flooding. ## What the coverage left out None of the right-rated digests mentioned the 7.70 mm rise in global mean sea level during the 2023 to 2024 El Niño or the record ocean temperatures in July 2026. The centre-rated digests did not report the $93 billion in Q2 profits earned by oil and gas companies or the estimate that 49 million people may face acute hunger due to the El Niño. **7.70 mm** — Rise in global mean sea level during 2023 to 2024 El Niño (81% driven by water moving from land to the ocean, as reported by Phys.org) > Our leaders’ response has to be swifter and stronger than El Niño. We already know that global heating is supercharging extreme weather damage, and the public wants polluters to pay for it. > > — Anne Jellema, Executive Director, 350.org ## Who covered it Shares of the 8 covering outlets with a published leaning rating: - Left: 50% (4) - Centre: 37% (3) - Right: 13% (1) 18 of 26 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-08-12T16:45:17.670435+00:00. **Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 2 times; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-08-12T17:15:48.073Z. ## How the sides framed it ### Left - The four left-rated digests and reports led on the humanitarian and economic consequences of the El Niño. Common Dreams and Truthout both highlighted the $93 billion in Q2 profits earned by oil and gas companies, as reported by 350.org. Common Dreams quoted 350.org’s Executive Director Anne Jellema, who said, “With Big Oil’s earnings skyrocketing while a global food crisis looms, now is the time to act.” - The Washington Post and IBTimes UK focused on record-breaking ocean temperatures. IBTimes UK reported the July 2026 sea surface temperature of 20.96°C, citing the Copernicus Climate Change Service. Common Dreams carried voices from affected regions, including Puerto Rico, Indonesia, the United Kingdom, and East Africa, quoting local organisers on drought, water scarcity, and food price increases. ### Centre - The three centre-rated digests and reports concentrated on the scientific and regional impacts of the El Niño. Phys.org’s full report detailed the mechanisms behind sea level rise during the 2014 to 2016 and 2023 to 2024 events, including the roles of barystatic and steric sea level changes. It also noted NOAA’s forecast for a very strong El Niño in late 2026. - The Christian Science Monitor and Fox 5 San Diego led on the immediate physical effects. The Christian Science Monitor reported the record ocean temperatures in July 2026, while Fox 5 San Diego focused on local preparations in San Diego for an incoming super El Niño storm system. None of the centre-rated digests mentioned the $93 billion in oil and gas profits or the 49 million people facing acute hunger. ### Right - The single right-rated digest from Newsweek focused on the potential impact of the El Niño on Western drought conditions. It reported that the event may affect the Colorado River, snowpack across the West, and next year’s wildfire season. The digest did not mention the 7.70 mm sea level rise, the $93 billion in oil and gas profits, or the 49 million people at risk of acute hunger. **Provisional coverage gap:** right. The watch is not closed, so this is not yet a settled blindspot finding. ## Factuality profile of the covering outlets These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true. - high: 7 - unknown: 17 - veryHigh: 2 ## Verification scope This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true. ## Original reporting this was written from - [Yourweather.co.uk | Meteored](https://yourweather.co.uk/news/forecasts/super-el-nino-set-to-reach-very-strong-intensity-as-noaa-raises-scale-to-8-c.html) — Super El Niño set to reach very strong intensity as NOAA raises scale to 8°C - [severe-weather.eu](https://severe-weather.eu/long-range-2/super-el-nino-growth-accelerating-to-record-strength-fall-winter-2026-2027-forecast-impact-united-states-canada-europe-fa) — Super El Niño Keeps Growing as New Forecasts Reach Record Territory Ahead of Winter - [FOX 5 San Diego](https://fox5sandiego.com/news/local-news/san-diego-homeowners-prepare-super-el-nino) — San Diego preps for incoming super El Niño storm - [North Coast Current](https://northcoastcurrent.com/top-stories/2026/08/fierce-floods-or-wild-waves-how-san-diego-is-preparing-for-a-winter-of-extreme-weather-under-el-nino) — Fierce floods or wild waves? How San Diego is preparing for a winter of extreme weather under El Niño - [Newsweek](https://newsweek.com/el-nino-forecast-predictions-winter-drought-rain-water-12310727) — How super El Niño could impact Western drought—experts make predictions - [IBTimes UK](https://ibtimes.co.uk/record-breaking-ocean-temperatures-climate-change-1813666) — World's Oceans Hit Hottest July on Record as El Niño Conditions Build in the Pacific - [noticiaslatam.lat](https://noticiaslatam.lat/20260811/el-impacto-global-de-el-nino-es-impredecible-advierten-cientificos-1174626917.html) — El Niño’s Global Impact Is Unpredictable, Scientists Warn - [meteored.cl](https://meteored.cl/noticias/actualidad/el-nino-sigue-fortaleciendose-asi-esta-evolucionando-el-pacifico-tropical.html) — El Niño Continues to Strengthen: Our Expert Explains How the Tropical Pacific Is Evolving - [SciencePost](https://sciencepost.fr/on-pensait-le-super-el-nino-de-1997-indepassable-celui-de-cette-annee-progresse-deja-plus-vite) — The 1997 Super El Niño Was Thought to Be Unsurpassable: This Year's One Is Already Growing Faster - [The Christian Science Monitor](https://csmonitor.com/Environment/2026/0810/Rare-super-El-Nino-spikes-ocean-temps-to-new-record) — Rare ‘super El Niño’ spikes ocean temps to new record - [antena3.ro](https://antena3.ro/mediu/el-nino-ar-putea-deveni-cel-mai-puternic-din-istorie-prognoza-a-fost-revizuita-efectele-vor-lovi-in-cascada-mai-ales-in-europa-798967.html) — El Niño Could Become the Most Powerful in History. The Forecast Was Revised: "Effects Will Hit in Cascade, Especially in Europe." - [Phys.org](https://phys.org/news/2026-08-impact-super-el-nios-sea.html) — The impact of recent super El Niños on sea level rise - [ecotopical.com](https://ecotopical.com/physorg/457525/impact-recent-super-el-nios-sea-level-rise) — The impact of recent super El Niños on sea level rise - [NOAA](https://ncei.noaa.gov/news/global-climate-202607) — Assessing the Global Temperature and Precipitation in July 2026 - [Truthout](https://truthout.org/articles/ocean-temperatures-in-july-broke-record-due-to-fossil-fuel-driven-super-el-nino) — Ocean Temperatures in July Broke Record Due to Fossil Fuel-Driven Super El Niño - [borsen.dk](https://borsen.dk/nyheder/baeredygtig/varmere-dage-og-stigende-priser-det-kan-vi-forvente-af-el-nino) — Warmer Days and Rising Prices: What We Can Expect From El Niño - [TV 2](https://tv2.no/nyheter/super-el-nio-kan-endre-hostvaeret-lov-a-hape/19116024) — "Super El Niño" Could Change the Autumn Weather: - Promise to Hope - [preventionweb.net](https://preventionweb.net/news/super-el-nino-could-bring-wet-winter-and-flooding-western-us-climate-scientists-warn) — ‘Super El Niño’ could bring wet winter and flooding to western US, climate scientists warn - [RÚV](https://ruv.is/frettir/erlent/483373) — El Niño Impact Greater than Expected - [The Washington Post](https://washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/interactive/2026/track-how-extreme-this-years-el-nino-could-get) — Track how extreme this year’s El Nino could get - [Common Dreams](https://commondreams.org/newswire/as-el-nino-and-heatwaves-dry-up-fields-governments-must-act-fast) — As El Niño and heatwaves dry up fields, governments must act fast - [waccglobal.org](https://waccglobal.org/el-nino-and-the-fight-over-what-it-means) — WACC | El Niño and the fight over what it means - [ТСН.ua](https://tsn.ua/nauka_it/super-el-ninyo-posyliuyetsia-iaki-pohodni-anomaliyi-chekaiut-na-svit-uze-skoro-3145496.html) — Super El Niño Intensifies: What Weather Anomalies Await the World Soon - [Gazeta.ua](https://gazeta.ua/articles/life/_okean-zakipaye-klimatologi-poperedili-pro-najrujnivnishij-elninjo-v-istoriyi-chim-ce-zagrozhuye-lyudstvu/1256259) — “The Ocean Is Boiling”: Climatologists Warned About the Most Destructive El Niño in History - How It Threatens Humanity - [climateimpactcompany.com](https://climateimpactcompany.com/august-2026-enso-outlook-el-nino-strengthening-at-record-pace-strongest-el-nino-on-record-likely-by-q4-2026-ending-time-projected-for-middle-of-2027-2-2) — Strongest El Nino on Record Likely by Q4/2026, Ending Time Projected for Middle of 2027 - Climate Impact Company - [Fox Weather](https://foxweather.com/weather-news/noaa-2026-hurricane-season-forecast-august-super-el-nino) — NOAA releases updated 2026 Atlantic hurricane outlook as looming 'Super' El Niño aims to limit activity ## Questions **How much did global mean sea level rise during the 2023 to 2024 El Niño?** Global mean sea level rose by 7.70 mm during the 2023 to 2024 El Niño, with 81% of the increase driven by water moving from land to the ocean. This was reported by Phys.org, citing a study in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans. **What were the record ocean temperatures in July 2026?** In July 2026, average sea surface temperatures reached 20.96°C, surpassing the previous July record of 20.89°C set in 2023. The figure was reported by IBTimes UK, citing data from the Copernicus Climate Change Service. **How many people may face acute hunger due to the El Niño?** 350.org reported that 49 million people may face acute hunger due to the strong El Niño. The organisation also stated that oil and gas companies earned $93 billion in Q2 profits, as published by Common Dreams. **What is NOAA’s forecast for the 2026 El Niño?** NOAA forecasts an 81% chance of a very strong El Niño from October to December 2026, with sea surface temperature anomalies in the Niño 3.4 region exceeding 2.0°C. This was reported by Phys.org. --- MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/climate/super-el-nino-drives-record-ocean-temperatures-and-sea-level-rise-in-2026. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "Super El Niño drives record ocean temperatures and sea level rise in 2026", https://mediabias.news/climate/super-el-nino-drives-record-ocean-temperatures-and-sea-level-rise-in-2026