This is also a El Nino year, and the start of the El Nino cycle. An El Nino cycle is typically 2-7 years long. So we'll experience even more disrupted rain cycles. For rain & monsoon dependent economies this'll be hell. Plus lesser rains means hotter & drier weather, longer droughts and food shortages.
Is there a term for more hellish/ worse than the current hell? We'll all be needing that term.
You're right. The ENSO (El Niño Southern Oscillation) cycle can take up to 7 years, but that's the entire cycle (El Niño, La Niña, and neutral). El Niño conditions may only last months. La Niña typically lasts longer.
This year, they expect El Niño conditions to continue at least til the end of the year.
Also, this past La Niña was unusually long, about three years long. I'm not sure what that signifies but it seems like it might be important.