The 2026 El Niño is poised to cause new extreme weather patterns. Forecasting models can't predict these patterns currently. It will likely bring conditions that differ from past seasons. Forecasters say the lack of data makes it more difficult to predict storms, droughts, and heatwaves. Scientists observe sea surface temperatures in the Pacific. They anticipate impacts arriving over the next few months. Without good predictions, governments and communities need to stay alert to various effects. Researchers seek to upgrade their systems as new data is gathered. Right now, uncertainty is the primary aspect of the 2026 El Niño.