This summer isn't breaking heat records — yet. Wait until El Nino kicks in, scientists say

Wildfires are burning in North America and Europe. Deadly heat waves have parked over cities and the world's oceans are the hottest ever recorded for this time of year. A strengthening El Nino is forecast to be off-the-charts, spiking global temperatures and warping weather all over. While it may seem like the planet is baking through a record-shattering summer from hell, it's not quite in record territory. Yet. So far this is only the third-hottest year, behind 2024 and 2025, climate statistics