American coast braced for El Niño return

Oceanic warming event could wreak havoc in western Pacific but provide respite from US fires

Back in March, following months of speculation, the US Climate Prediction Service declared the official start of El Nino. The first such event since 2009 and currently building across the Pacific, El Nino refers to a period of oceanic temperature changes coupled with atmospheric effects that can be a blessing or a curse for those on the receiving end.