El Niño is set to take hold this summer, driving up global temperatures

Federal weather scientists say a strong El Niño weather pattern is likely to develop later this year. El Niño years can bring hotter temperatures, more extreme droughts and more intense rainfall.

A potentially strong El Niño weather pattern will likely emerge this summer and persist through the rest of the year. The hottest years on record generally occur in years when El Niño is active.

(Image credit: Joe Raedle)