Los Angeles, Ca
A strong El Niño is coming to California. You may notice something different at the beach
El Niño is known for bringing soaking storms to California, especially the state’s southern half. A lesser-known side effect of the climate phenomenon? The Pacific Ocean’s famously frigid waters may be a little more welcoming.
El Niño tends to be associated with warmer-than-average ocean temperatures all along the West Coast, NOAA research scientist Dillon Amaya told KTLA’s parent company, Nexstar.
Just how warm are we talking? There’s a range of outcomes, Amaya explained. If you look at the two strongest El Niño events on record – the one from 1997-1998 and the one from 2015-2016 – the water at Scripps Beach in La Jolla got as warm as 74 or 76 degrees in late summer. That’s compared to around 68 degrees in an average year.
This year’s El Niño could be one for the record books, as well. The latest forecast showed an increased chance of a “super” (or very strong) El Niño.
“Much of the U.S. West Coast is currently experiencing a strong marine heatwave,” Amaya pointed out. “Add in El Niño and long-term warming from climate change, and we could be looking at record-breaking ocean temperatures this year.”
To get a better sense of what we might be in for, take a look at the chart below of sea surface temperatures from Scripps Beach.
The black line shows the average water temperature when you look at every year since 1950. The orange and purple lines show the water temperatures during our strongest El Niño events.
“These ‘Super El Niños’ kept ocean temperatures much warmer than average for almost the entire year,” Amaya said.
Now focus your attention on the columns of the chart shaded in red. Those are the winter months when an El Niño was present. While it’s more likely you’re brave enough to get in the water in the summer months, the effects of El Niño are more pronounced in winter and spring, Amaya said.
You can see the range of all El Niño water temperatures in that band of gray, from as low as 54 degrees to as high as 64 degrees in winter. But there’s a lot more gray above the black line than below it, Amaya pointed out, showing more often than not the water is warmer-than-average during an El Niño winter.
In addition to bringing the heat, El Niño tends to have other impacts on West Coast beaches, as well. It can create higher tides and stronger swells, pounding California’s beaches and contributing to erosion along the coast.
Not to mention the other problems associated with warming oceans. “The last time we had a very intense and sustained marine heatwave, we saw mass seabird die-offs, whale entanglements, kelp forest degradation, harmful algal blooms which poisoned shellfish (and surfers!), sea lion starvation and northward fish migration,” Amaya said. “These impacts could resurface if El Niño prolongs or even intensifies the ongoing marine heatwave.”
Warmer waters can also make storms more intense, and in rarer cases bring tropical cyclones to the California coast.
It’s too soon to tell how El Niño will play out this year. It’s favored to begin soon, at some point between now and July.
A Pasadena man who was critically injured after being run over while confronting suspected catalytic converter thieves is continuing a difficult recovery months later as family, friends and neighbors rally to support him.
Mike “Mikey” Moreno, 38, suffered a traumatic brain injury and multiple broken bones when he was struck during the Feb. 12 incident outside his home on Garfias Drive in Pasadena, according to loved ones.
Moreno’s family says he remains wheelchair-bound and is facing extensive rehabilitation, while medical expenses continue to mount.
A community fundraiser dubbed “Fresh Cuts for a Better Fight — Rally for Mikey” was scheduled for Sunday at Alden Hair Design in support of his recovery.
According to a flyer shared by organizers, the event offered $20 boys haircuts, with 100% of proceeds going directly toward Moreno’s care and rehabilitation costs.
“Recently, Mikey suffered a traumatic brain injury and is facing a long road of recovery,” organizers wrote. “The physical, emotional, and financial challenges can continue for months or even years.”
The fundraiser comes more than four months after Moreno was left fighting for his life during what neighbors described as a violent catalytic converter theft.
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Pasadena resident Mike Moreno, 38, is pictured in the hospital recovering from brain surgery and broken bones. -
Surveillance video from Mike Moreno’s house shows him confronting the catalytic converter thieves before he was violently run over on Feb. 12, 2026 in Pasadena, Calif. (Mike Moreno) -
Video shows a Prius getting jacked up before its catalytic converter was stolen in Pasadena, Calif. on Feb. 12, 2026.
Security camera footage captured suspects targeting vehicles in the neighborhood before Moreno confronted them. Investigators believe he was run over and left in the street, where he remained until a neighbor discovered him and called for help.
At the time, Moreno underwent brain surgery and was hospitalized with severe injuries. Family members previously told KTLA he could face a lengthy rehabilitation process and might need to relearn how to walk.
Neighbors have described Moreno as a beloved member of the community.
“Mikey is the LAST person this should ever happen to, as he would give you the shirt off his back,” a GoFundMe created to assist with his recovery states.
The suspect or suspects responsible for the attack remain at large.
Authorities have not released additional details about the investigation, but the case remains under active investigation.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact law enforcement.
Former Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff, made a surprise visit to The Abbey bar and restaurant in West Hollywood on Saturday.
Guests at the popular bar were stunned by the visit when an announcement was made around 6:30 p.m. that Harris and Emhoff were present.
Video of her visit showed enthusiastic patrons cheering, shaking her hand and asking for photos as she made her way through the restaurant. She was heard saying, “Happy Pride!” to the many guests gathered around.
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Former Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff, were spotted at The Abbey bar and restaurant in West Hollywood on Saturday, Jun 13, 2026. (Lily Dallow/KTLA)
Restaurant staff were reportedly told shortly before their shift that Harris and Emhoff would be visiting the establishment.
The Abbey is an iconic LGBTQ+ bar that opened in 1991 as a small coffee house before expanding into a sprawling bar, restaurant and nightclub over the decades.
Footage of the Harris and Emhoff’s visit can be seen in the video player above.
One person was shot and killed on the 18600 block of Gridley Road in Cerritos Saturday.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department responded to the shooting at 4:01 p.m. and found a man suffering from at least one gunshot wound. The man was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.
The sheriff’s department has not announced any arrests in the case at this time.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information about the case is asked to call the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500.
KTLA is following the story and will provide more details when they are available.
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