local
Signs of El Niño are already appearing in the Atlantic Ocean
By CNN Newsource at KVIA ABC-7
· July 18, 2026
· 5 min read
By Meteorologist Mary Gilbert, CNN
(CNN) — Atlantic hurricane season is off to a quiet start and it’s probably time to start pointing fingers at El Niño.
A quick refresher: El Niño is a natural climate pattern marked by warmer than average water temperatures in the equatorial Pacific and corr...
Key takeaway It’s the quietest start to the season since 2009.
Why this matters in The El Paso
For El Paso residents, the emergence of El Niño and its impact on Atlantic hurricane season may seem distant, but its effects can have a ripple impact on local weather patterns. As El Niño strengthens, it can influence the development of high-pressure systems over the southwestern United States, potentially leading to hotter and drier conditions in the region. This, in turn, can exacerbate drought conditions and increase the risk of wildfires in the Franklin Mountains and other areas surrounding El Paso. Additionally, the wind shear associated with El Niño can also affect the track and intensity of storms that do develop in the Atlantic, potentially leading to a more active monsoon season in the western United States, including El Paso. As the city's emergency management officials prepare for the peak summer months, they will be closely monitoring the development of El Niño and its potential impacts on local weather and public safety.
About this story
Original reporting by KVIA ABC-7 . The El Paso surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KVIA ABC-7 . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 18, 2026 ·
Source: KVIA ABC-7 ·
Reading time: 5 min
Get more The El Paso stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering local and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? By Meteorologist Mary Gilbert, CNN
(CNN) — Atlantic hurricane season is off to a quiet start and it’s probably time to start pointing fingers at El Niño.
A quick refresher: El Niño is a natural climate pattern marked by warmer than average water temperatures in the equatorial Pacific and corr...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 18, 2026 by KVIA ABC-7 and curated for The El Paso readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by CNN Newsource at KVIA ABC-7. To learn more about how The El Paso selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The El Paso, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More local →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter