Sea Surface Temperatures. Image Credit - NOAA
Follow the link to superb article about the various effects of El Nino from NOAA:
NOAA Climate - El Nino
And a NASA video:
Here's a link to a new article posted on Scientific American's webstie regarding the relationship between this potentially strong El Nino and the fire-ravaged areas of the western United States.
Scientific American - El Nino and Severe Flooding Potential