A strong or so-called "super" El Niño could develop later this year, according to some climate forecasters and media reports, bringing the risk of more severe weather extremes and the possibility of a very hot year for the world in 2027 A global El Niño event would only "tip the scales even more", she said."That would lead to a very, very hot year for the planet," she said.Ashcroft pointed out that in Australia, where "extreme climate is part of our identity", people are very invested and well-versed in this particular climate pattern, which can evoke fears of bushfires, drought and intense heat for some, such as farmers.She noted that even if an El Niño event does occur, it doesn't always lead to those outcomes, particularly as previously known patterns evolve due to climate change