This year’s El Niño looks a lot like 1997. What happened then?
By Alix Martichoux · Oct 1, 2026, 9:00 AM CDT
Columbia University climate scientist Azhar Ehsan said in a September media briefing that this year's atmospheric evolution looks similar to that of 1997, when one of the strongest-ever El Niños formed.
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Layer 1 · Claims & fact checks
AI analysisLayer 3 · Reporting analysis
AI analysisAttributionThe article attributes the claim directly to a named expert, lending authority to the comparison.
Historical ComparisonThe headline and text use a past event (1997 El Niño) as a frame to suggest potential significance of the current event.
Context
AI analysisMissing context
The article does not provide information about the expected impacts of a 1997‑like El Niño this year, any quantitative forecasts, or how other experts view the comparison.
Important context
The 1997 El Niño was associated with severe weather worldwide, including droughts, floods, and economic losses; understanding those outcomes would help readers gauge the significance of the comparison.
Opinion vs. reporting
AI analysisThe piece primarily reports a scientist’s statement without adding analysis or opinion; it does not present the author’s own interpretation.