The El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is a weather phenomenon in which "sea temperatures at the surface in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean become substantially warmer than normal," according to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). As a result, it causes "extreme heat, dangerous tropical cyclones, and a significant threat to fragile coral reefs," along with overall warmer temperatures, CNN writes.

ENSO is expected to make an appearance sometime this year, and the phenomenon typically lasts between nine and 12 months. "Right now, the atmosphere and the ocean are both in sync and screaming 'El Niño rapid development' over the next few months," climate scientist Daniel Swain told CNN. The phenomenon is said to be "like a natural form of climate change," Time describes.

Read more here