Drought-stricken California is likely to have its wettest fall and winter because of a record-breaking El Niño brewing in the Pacific Ocean, according to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Climate Prediction Center.

While it may seem like welcomed rain for the western United States, which is suffering from a severe drought over four the past four years, it would likely bring death and destruction from floods and mudslides, NOAA experts warn.

"There is a greater than 90% chance that El Niño will continue through Northern Hemisphere winter 2015-16, and around an 85% chance it will last into early spring 2016," the prediction published on August 13, 2015 said. "At this time, the forecaster consensus unanimously favors a strong El Niño."

Read the NOAA Climate Prediction Center's El Niño warning

The last big El Niño is blamed for 17 deaths and billions in destruction in California in 1997. This upcoming season could be significantly stronger, forecasters said.

The Los Angeles Times offers a good explanation of the El Niño warning.

The El Niño forecast does hold good news for residents of the eastern U.S. coast, since it "will likely contribute to a below normal Atlantic hurricane season," NOAA said. However, it should bring more big storms to the central and eastern Pacific hurricane basins.

Watch this video from NOAA to better understand what causes El Niño:

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