Climate experts are sounding the alarm because even a moderately strong El Nino can push global temperatures past critical levels for serious impacts.
Climatologist James Hansen warns this event could cross that threshold, while a recent Nature study suggests super El Ninos make long-term climate shifts more likely.
In the past, these events have led to major disruptions in ocean currents and affected both nature and society, so there's a real reason to pay attention this time around.