The 2026 El Niño is expected to cause novel extreme weather patterns. Forecasting models can't predict these patterns currently. It will probably introduce conditions that vary from past seasons. Forecasters say the lack of data makes it harder to guess storms, droughts, and heatwaves. Scientists monitor sea surface temperatures in the Pacific. They anticipate impacts arriving over the coming months. Without good predictions, governments and communities need to stay alert to many impacts. Researchers hope to improve their tools as new data is gathered. Right now, uncertainty is the key feature of the 2026 El Niño.