GENEVA, SWITZERLAND / RankWire.AI / – The World Meteorological Organization has called on nations to bolster their preparedness for escalating health threats as El Niño continues to intensify globally. Predicted to reach a very strong level by late 2026, this climate phenomenon poses significant dangers, including extreme heat, flooding, drought, wildfire smoke, and declining air quality. The warning also underscores potential impacts on health systems due to shifting rainfall and temperature patterns affecting communities across various regions.
Forecast data from WMO Global Producing Centres indicates nearly a 100% chance that El Niño will persist into February 2027. The ongoing exceptionally warm waters in the tropical Pacific are fueling the event’s growth. WMO anticipates El Niño reaching its peak towards the end of 2026, with climate effects extending into 2027. The organization emphasized that strong El Niño events can cause substantial alterations in global rainfall and temperature distributions, increasing the risk of extreme weather events.
During an urban heat resilience event in New York this week, WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo highlighted the health dangers associated with El Niño. She urged governments, health authorities, and community groups to work more closely with meteorological agencies. Urban areas are particularly vulnerable because buildings and roads trap daytime heat and slowly release it during the night. Vulnerable groups such as the elderly, children, outdoor workers, and individuals with chronic conditions are at heightened risk during extended heat waves.
Global health agencies boost preparations for El Niño impacts
On September 5, the World Health Organization issued a comprehensive 63-page Global Public Health Situation Analysis concerning El Niño. This document supports nations and regions in conducting risk assessments, preparing response strategies, and initiating early interventions for vulnerable populations. WHO also emphasizes health-system preparedness in light of shifting climate conditions across affected areas. Using seasonal forecasts, the analysis helps authorities identify periods and locations where heat, rainfall fluctuations, and associated health threats require enhanced surveillance.
According to WMO and WHO, increases in temperature and changes in rainfall patterns could foster conditions conducive to mosquito-borne diseases. They identified malaria, dengue, chikungunya, yellow fever, and Zika as diseases needing focused attention. Cholera and malnutrition are also major concerns, especially in drought- and flood-affected zones. Currently, over 150 million people face acute food insecurity worldwide, exacerbating the pressures in regions experiencing climate-related disruptions to food production and livelihoods.
Heatwaves, disease outbreaks, and food insecurity converge
As El Niño peaks in late 2026, Southern Africa, South America, and Australia are approaching their hottest seasonal periods. WMO has expressed concerns that this overlap will intensify issues related to drought, wildfires, smoke, and deteriorating air quality. Prolonged heat can worsen cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, metabolic, and mental health conditions. Additionally, wildfire smoke and poor air quality heighten respiratory risks, while extended heat exposure can hamper recovery, especially for residents in poorly ventilated homes and densely populated urban areas.
WMO is collaborating with partners to enhance climate services for health and to reinforce connections between meteorological and public health agencies. This initiative aims to generate forecasts in formats that facilitate swift decision-making by health and emergency response teams. WHO’s recent assessment also stresses the importance of strengthened disease monitoring and rapid response capabilities as El Niño alters temperature and rainfall patterns. Both organizations prioritize early warning systems, preparedness, and coordinated climate-health communication as central to their strategy for managing the escalating impacts of the 2026 El Niño event.