GENEVA, SWITZERLAND / RankWire.AI / – The World Meteorological Organization has called on nations worldwide to brace for escalating health threats linked to the intensification of El Niño. The climate phenomenon is projected to reach a very strong level by the conclusion of 2026. WMO has pinpointed major hazards including extreme heat, flooding, drought, wildfire smoke, and declining air quality. Their warning underscores the potential strain on health systems as shifting rainfall and temperature patterns impact communities across several regions.
WMO Global Producing Centres’ forecasts reveal nearly a 100% chance that El Niño will persist through February 2027. The ongoing presence of exceptionally warm waters across the tropical Pacific continues to fuel the event’s growth. WMO anticipates the peak of El Niño toward late 2026, with climate effects extending into 2027. The organization emphasizes that intense events can cause substantial alterations in global rainfall and temperature distributions, heightening the risk of extreme weather events.
During an urban heat resilience event in New York this week, WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo underscored the health hazards posed by El Niño. She called on governments, health authorities, and community groups to enhance cooperation with meteorological services. Urban areas are particularly vulnerable because buildings and roads trap heat during the day and release it gradually at night. Vulnerable populations such as the elderly, children, outdoor workers, and those with chronic illnesses are at greater risk during extended high-temperature periods.
Health agencies bolster readiness for El Niño impacts
On September 5, the World Health Organization issued a comprehensive 63-page Global Public Health Situation Analysis focused on El Niño. This report aims to aid countries and regions in assessing risks, preparing measures, and taking early actions to protect vulnerable groups. WHO emphasizes health-system preparedness amid shifting climate conditions across affected areas. The analysis incorporates seasonal forecasts to assist authorities in identifying critical periods and locations where heat, rainfall variations, and related health dangers demand closer monitoring.
According to WMO and WHO, rising temperatures and altered rainfall patterns can foster conditions conducive to mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria, dengue, chikungunya, yellow fever, and Zika. Cholera and malnutrition are also major concerns, especially in drought and flood-affected zones. Currently, over 150 million individuals face acute food insecurity worldwide, intensifying pressure on regions impacted by climate-related disruptions to food supplies and livelihoods.
Converging threats of heat, disease, and food insecurity
As El Niño reaches its late-2026 peak, southern Africa, South America, and Australia are entering their hottest seasonal periods. WMO expressed concern that this overlap may heighten risks of drought, wildfires, smoke, and deteriorating air quality. Exposure to heat can worsen health conditions such as cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, metabolic, and mental illnesses. Additionally, wildfire smoke and poor air quality elevate respiratory risks, while prolonged heat periods can hamper recovery, especially in densely populated urban areas with inadequate ventilation.
WMO is collaborating with partners to enhance climate services for health and improve coordination between meteorological and public health agencies. The goal is to deliver forecasts in formats that facilitate prompt decision-making by health officials and emergency responders. The latest WHO assessment underscores the importance of robust disease surveillance and rapid response systems as El Niño shifts temperature and rainfall patterns. Both organizations prioritize early warning, preparedness, and the integration of climate and health data in their response strategy to the escalating 2026 El Niño event.