# A 'Monster' El Niño Is Brewing in the Pacific

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/kqed-s-forum-910728/a-monster-el-ni-o-is-brewing-in-the-pacific
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/kqed-s-forum-910728/a-monster-el-ni-o-is-brewing-in-the-pacific.md
Podcast: [KQED's Forum](https://stenobird.com/podcast/kqed-s-forum-910728)
Published: 2026-05-14T19:14:00+00:00
Episode link: https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/pdst.fm/e/traffic.megaphone.fm/KQINC2308412181.mp3?updated=1778786580
Audio file: https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/pdst.fm/e/traffic.megaphone.fm/KQINC2308412181.mp3?updated=1778786580
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/kqed-s-forum-910728/episodes/a-monster-el-ni-o-is-brewing-in-the-pacific
Duration seconds: 3281

## Resource

An El Niño is starting to form in the tropical Pacific Ocean, and some forecasters say it could be a “monster,” the most powerful in 150 years. The weather system could trigger potentially catastrophic heat waves, flooding and drought, with effects we could start to feel as early as this summer. We talk to science journalists about how this brewing El Niño could test our readiness for the chaos of a warmer climate, and answer your questions about its potential impacts here in California and beyond. Guests: David Wallace-Wells, science writer and essayist, The New York Times Opinion Bill McKibben, co-founder, climate activism group Third Act; author of more than 20 books, including "The End of Nature" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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## Transcript

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