The El Niño Storm Clouds Gathering on the West Coast The specter of a "super" El Niño looms large over the western United States, casting a shadow of uncertainty and concern for residents and policymakers alike.
Climate scientists predict this year's iteration will be the strongest of the century, with potentially disastrous consequences for coastal areas and drought stricken regions.
Past experiences have shown that even a strong El Niño can bring both precipitation and destruction. The 1982 83 weather system ravaged California's coastline, destroying 33 homes and damaging over 3,000 residences.