The Northeast Monsoon 2026 has arrived early, bringing renewed attention to Tamil Nadu and Chennai's crucial rainfall season. With a strong El Niño developing, evolving Indian Ocean conditions and intriguing signals from ECMWF, GFS and EC-AIFS models, what could the coming months hold? An exploration of the science, climate indicators, atmospheric circulation and rainfall outlook for NEM 2026.

The Pacific Ocean is warming rapidly, and El Niño is strengthening. But what does that really mean for India and the rest of the world? Follow my 2026 Super El Niño Watch as I break down Niño 3.4, SOI, IOD, sea-surface temperatures and changing atmospheric conditions in simple language, with regular observations and inferences as this fascinating event evolves.