Record ocean heat, intensifying El Nino conditions and worsening extremes are raising the prospect that 2026 could become the hottest year ever measured.

This summer's heat is human caused, not from El Niño – but the climate phenomenon is set to release pent-up ocean heat.

With a formidable El Nino set to escalate global temperatures, the weather patterns we rely on are likely to be severely altered. Experts warn that 2026 may record the highest…