The Australian Bureau of Meteorology reported on August 3 that the El Niño phenomenon is predicted to reach its strongest level since 1950 by late spring or summer. ^[1] A powerful weather front is expected to generate a mix of record hot temperatures, damaging winds, flooding rains, and snow across eastern Australia this weekend. ^[2] Fog in Broome, Western Australia, reduced visibility to less than 50 meters on Wednesday morning. ^[3] Nearly 50 million people in vulnerable communities are likely to be pushed into acute hunger as the El Niño strengthens and exacerbates the consequences of climate change. ^[4] The United Nations has predicted that the planet is in a 'danger zone' of extreme weather, based on data suggesting the current El Niño will break all previous records. ^[5] Forecast models indicate the relative Niño 3.4 index could peak at over 3 degrees above normal, surpassing the previous record of 2.6 degrees observed in January 1983. ^[6] Senior climatologist Felicity Gamble stated that the August monthly average of the relative Niño 3.4 index was 2.2 to 2.3 degrees above normal, the highest for that month since 1950. ^[7] The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) analyzed that the El Niño event will continue until February 2027 with a probability close to 100%. ^[8] Peak gusts along the coast and ranges are expected to reach around 100 kilometres per hour, strong enough to bring down tree branches and power lines. ^[9] The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a flood watch for 10 catchments due to wet catchments and elevated rivers after heavy winter rain. ^[10] Recent data show the relative index for August was 2.3°C above average, making the current El Niño stronger than other El Niño years, and it is unusually warm early in the season and has not yet peaked during summer. ^[11] The Bureau of Meteorology's seasonal forecast suggests Australia has had a textbook response to El Niño, with temperatures up to 37°C in northern Australia and drier conditions, and much of eastern and central Australia can expect an unusually dry spring and summer, potentially heightening bushfire risk. ^[12]