El Niño is here — how bad will it be?

Hot on the heels of a three-year La Niña global weather pattern, the planet seems to be headed into what could be a strong El Niño event with worldwide consequences.

This El Niño might turn out to be a moderate one. But some scientists fear it could be powerful, and meteorologists and emergency-preparedness officials are bracing for potential floods and droughts, and the possibility that planetary temperatures could reach record highs. The World…