NewsWPLG Local 10 – Main FeedNovember 2, 2026Miami-Dade County
El Niño warming cycle intensifies heavy rains and flash floods across the American Southwest
Photo: WPLG Local 10 – Main Feed
An extreme El Niño warming cycle is fueling severe storms and flash floods across the American Southwest by adding moisture to the air and shifting global wind patterns. Over 20 trillion gallons of water have fallen on the Four Corners states and Nevada in the past two weeks, with peak impacts expected in December and continuing through the winter and spring.
Read the full story at WPLG Local 10 – Main FeedWhy It Matters
The severe storms and flash floods pose dangers to residents, property, and local infrastructure in desert regions, while also carrying potential benefits by filling up depleted water reservoirs.
Key Facts
- An extreme El Niño warming cycle is sizzling Pacific Ocean waters and increasing moisture in the air across the American Southwest.
- Over 20 trillion gallons of water have fallen on the Four Corners states and Nevada in the two weeks prior to the report.
- Flash floods on Sunday triggered evacuations across northern New Mexico and central Arizona.
- A Colorado ski town braced for its main river to rise to catastrophic levels.
- Global warming from human-caused climate change has made baseline ocean temperatures warmer than they were 100 years ago, intensifying El Niño impacts.
- The El Niño event is projected to peak in December and continue its impacts through the winter and spring.
- Regions including Peru and Ecuador are experiencing record-breaking flooding, while parts of Southeast Asia like Indonesia are drier than usual.
- Experts note that El Niño can also bring positive effects by providing rainfall and moisture to drier areas and replenishing water reservoirs.
Who's Mentioned
locationIndonesia“region experiencing drier conditions than usual”locationFour Corners“region affected by heavy rainfall”locationEcuador“region seeing record-breaking flooding”locationPeru“region seeing record-breaking flooding”OrganizationScripps Institution of Oceanography“institution associated with Park Williams”OrganizationAssociated Press“news organization publishing the article”PersonRandy Cerveny“meteorologist with Arizona State University”PersonRyan Maue“former National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration chief scientist”OrganizationUniversity of California Agriculture and Natural Resources“institution associated with Daniel Swain”OrganizationArizona State University“institution associated with Randy Cerveny”PersonJeff Masters“meteorologist of Yale Climate Connections”PersonDaniel Swain“climate scientist with the University of California Agriculture and Natural Reso”PersonPark Williams“scientist with UC San Diego's Scripps Institution of Oceanography”OrganizationYale Climate Connections“organization associated with Jeff Masters”locationNevada“state affected by heavy rainfall”OrganizationNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration“federal agency where Ryan Maue was chief scientist”