Sea surface temperatures are rising rapidly in the eastern Pacific Ocean, likely signaling a strong and rapid start to El Niño this summer.

El Niño could be stronger and faster than expected this summer if current sea surface temperature trends continue in the coming weeks. Experts have long expected to see warmer-than-normal temperatures in the eastern equatorial Pacific this summer, heralding the start of an El Niño that could affect Canada's summer and the approaching hurricane season. Uncertainty surrounding the strength and timing of El Niño's onset has made its effects on this summer's weather somewhat questionable. With confidence growing, here's a look at how the pattern could affect Canada's weather in the coming months. El Niño and La Niña describe periods of abnormal water temperatures in the Pacific Ocean off the west coast of South America. We have been in the colder grips of La Niña for three consecutive winters. This lengthy spell recently ended and it appears we are quickly heading towards warmer than normal El Niño sea surface temperatures. Monthly outlook of the US Climate Prediction Center of April called for better-than-even odds that an El Niño would develop by this summer, with uncertainty over how fast or how strong such a pattern would develop in the coming months. But things have gotten a lot bigger since then. (Denis Mersereau, The Weather Network)