This super El Nino in the Pacific is due to last well into next year. Surf spots across Mexico, Central America and SoCal have felt the impact of this extreme weather event – which could also have wider implications for the world’s climate, if it continues on its current track.

El Niño is having a significant impact on the Pacific – for one, it’s actually turning the water bluer. This is because, during normal conditions, the trade winds help bring cold, nutrient-rich water from deeper layers of the Pacific toward the surface through a process called upwelling.

These nutrients are essential for phytoplankton growth. During El Niño, the trade winds weaken and warm water spreads eastward, reducing the supply of nutrients reaching the surface. With less food available, phytoplankton populations decline – and NASA have noticed this is impacting the water colour. Who knew. But with El Niño in full swing, what else can we expect from this swell season?…