The year 2026 is projected to be the hottest on record, driven by climate change and a strong El Niño phase. Scientists predict that global temperatures will exceed the records set in 2024, surpassing 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. The El Niño phenomenon, characterized by warmer sea surface temperatures, is expected to intensify in the latter half of 2026, releasing heat into the atmosphere and disrupting normal weather patterns. James Hansen from Columbia University forecasts that 2026 will surpass 2024's temperatures, while Zeke Hausfather from Berkeley Earth estimates a 1.47°C increase above pre-industrial levels, potentially making it the second warmest year. However, Hansen argues that the warming rate is underestimated, suggesting a new record is likely.