GENEVA, SWITZERLAND / RankWire.AI / – The World Meteorological Organization has issued a warning for nations to gear up for increasing health hazards as El Niño intensifies globally. The climate phenomenon is forecasted to reach a very strong level by the end of 2026, with WMO pinpointing major threats including extreme heat, flooding, drought, wildfire smoke, and declining air quality. The alert underscores risks to health infrastructures due to shifts in rainfall and temperature patterns impacting communities across various regions.
WMO Global Producing Centres forecasts indicate a near 100% chance that El Niño will continue through February 2027. Warm waters across the tropical Pacific sustain the event’s strengthening, with WMO projecting peak activity toward late 2026 and lingering climate effects extending into 2027. The organization emphasizes that intense El Niño episodes can drastically alter global rainfall and temperature distributions, heightening vulnerability to extreme weather phenomena.
During an urban heat resilience event in New York this week, WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo highlighted the health dangers posed by El Niño. She called on governments, health authorities, and community groups to work more closely with meteorological agencies. Cities are particularly at risk because heat absorbed by buildings and roads during the day is gradually released at night. Populations most vulnerable include older adults, children, outdoor workers, and individuals with chronic health conditions who face greater exposure during prolonged high-temperature periods.
Health Bodies Enhance El Niño Readiness
The World Health Organization released a comprehensive 63-page Global Public Health Situation Analysis on El Niño on September 5. This document supports national and regional risk assessments, preparedness planning, and early interventions for vulnerable groups. WHO also emphasizes health-system preparedness as climate conditions evolve in affected regions, utilizing seasonal forecasts to pinpoint periods and locations where heat, rainfall shifts, and associated health risks require heightened monitoring.
According to WMO and WHO, rising temperatures and altered rainfall patterns can foster conditions conducive to mosquito-borne diseases, including malaria, dengue, chikungunya, yellow fever, and Zika, which both agencies highlight as priority concerns. Additionally, cholera and malnutrition are critical issues in drought and flood-affected environments. Currently, over 150 million people face severe food insecurity globally, increasing strain on areas already impacted by climate-related disruptions to food supplies and livelihoods.
Combined Threats of Heat, Illness, and Food Scarcity
Regions such as Southern Africa, South America, and Australia are approaching their hottest seasons as El Niño reaches its late-2026 peak. WMO warns that this overlap heightens concerns over drought, wildfires, smoke, and worsening air pollution. Excessive heat can exacerbate cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, metabolic, and mental health issues. Wildfire smoke and declining air quality further increase respiratory risks, while extended periods of heat reduce recovery times for residents in poorly ventilated homes and densely populated urban areas.
WMO collaborates with partners to enhance climate services tailored for health and to strengthen coordination between meteorological and public health authorities. Their goal is to deliver forecasts in formats conducive to timely decision-making by health agencies and emergency responders. WHO’s latest evaluation also stresses the importance of robust disease surveillance and rapid response systems as El Niño influences temperature and rainfall patterns. Both organizations prioritize early warning, preparedness, and integrated climate-health information in their efforts to confront the escalating impacts of the 2026 El Niño event.