Record El Niño Forecast to Become Strongest in Over a Century

This year's El Niño is on track to be the strongest on record and the most intense in more than a century, stacked on top of human-caused climate change. [4] The phenomenon is expected to unleash extreme weather across the globe and could make 2027 the hottest year on record by far. [4] In Ohio, minor flooding is occurring and forecast along the Scioto River at Circleville until Sunday afternoon, with impacts to low-lying areas, roads, and backwater flooding. [1] Moderate flooding is occurring and forecast along the South Fork Licking River near Hebron, Ohio, until Sunday morning, affecting roads and a mobile home park. [2] In Latvia, an orange-level warning for strong winds and intense rain led organizers to postpone a concert in Riga from Saturday to Sunday to protect safety. [3]

Record El Niño Expected to Drive Global Extreme Weather

This year's El Niño is on track to be the strongest on record, threatening to unleash extreme weather across the globe and make 2027 the hottest recorded year by far. [4] It is expected to be the most intense El Niño in more than a century, the head of long-range forecasting at the UK's Met Office warned on Friday. [4] Stacked on top of long-term human-caused climate change, the temporary jolt will offer a glimpse of the heat the world can expect by the late 2030s, experts say. [4] The combination of this record-breaking El Niño with existing climate trends is positioned to produce widespread severe weather conditions that extend far beyond typical seasonal patterns. [4] Forecasters have highlighted how the strength of the current event surpasses previous occurrences, setting the stage for amplified global impacts when layered onto ongoing warming. [4]

Ongoing Flooding in Central Ohio

The Flood Warning is extended for the Scioto River at Circleville in Pickaway County. [1] Minor flooding is occurring and minor flooding is forecast along this river until Sunday afternoon. [1] At 18.0 feet, low-lying areas north of Circleville near Little Walnut begin to flood. [1] Flooding also worsens at the intersection of Canal Road and State Route 104 and on Island Road north of Circleville. [1] Minor backwater flooding occurs along Big Darby. [1] The Flood Warning is extended for the South Fork Licking River near Hebron in Licking County. [2] Moderate flooding is occurring and moderate flooding is forecast along this river until Sunday morning. [2] At 12.0 feet, water spills onto sections of Mill Dam Road. [2] Backwater creek flooding from the South Fork of the Licking River also occurs in the Greenbriar Estates Mobile Home Park, with water beginning to surround some homes. [2] These conditions affect roads and properties in the immediate vicinity of both rivers through the weekend period. [1] [2]

Storm Warning Forces Riga Concert Postponement

Taking into account the announced orange level warning for expected strong winds and intense rain, the concert of artists Mesa and Gacho scheduled for Saturday, August 22, at the Mežaparks Big Stage has been postponed by 24 hours to Sunday, August 23. [3] A representative of the event organizers explained that this decision was made because the forecasted weather conditions could threaten the safety of concertgoers, artists, and event staff. [3] All previously purchased tickets will be valid for the concert on Sunday and will not need to be changed. [3] The venue and program of the concert remain unchanged. [3] Information about the change will also be sent to all ticket holders personally by email. [3] Visitors who are unable to attend the concert on August 23 will be able to receive a refund for their purchased tickets. [3] It is not the first inconvenience concertgoers have experienced this summer at the showcase venue, following the late cancellation of a concert by an artist called Pitbull in late July. [3] A strong storm front will cross Latvia from the south on Saturday, bringing intense rain and winds damage, weather forecasters warn. [3] Rain is likely to begin on Saturday morning and be prolonged and heavy. [3]

Drought Distress Dominates Feedback in Somalia

In this week’s batch of calls to Radio Ergo’s nationwide audience feedback platform from 13-19 August 2026 there were two to three times as many distress calls about drought and its varied impacts on lives and livelihoods, than positive calls about rainfall and general wellbeing. [5] Central Somalia predominated in terms of the sources of calls about drought related conditions, with some also from northern and southern areas. [5] Audience reports indicate that concerns over drought effects far outweigh mentions of recent rainfall in the feedback received during this period. [5]

Broader Implications for Global Climate

This year's El Niño is on track to be the strongest on record, threatening to unleash extreme weather across the globe and make 2027 the hottest recorded year by far. [4] It is expected to be the most intense El Niño in more than a century, the head of long-range forecasting at the UK's Met Office warned on Friday. [4] Stacked on top of long-term human-caused climate change, the temporary jolt will offer a glimpse of the heat the world can expect by the late 2030s, experts say. [4] The record strength of the current event, when added to existing warming trends, provides an early indication of temperature levels anticipated in coming decades. [4]

What to watch next: The rescheduled Mesa and Gacho concert on Sunday, August 23, at the Mežaparks Big Stage, along with continued monitoring of river levels in central Ohio through Sunday.