GENEVA, SWITZERLAND / RankWire.AI / – The World Meteorological Organization has called on nations to prepare for escalating health hazards amid the global intensification of El Niño. The climate phenomenon is projected to reach a very strong level by the end of 2026. WMO has identified extreme heat, flooding, drought, wildfire smoke, and declining air quality as primary threats. The warning also underscores risks to healthcare systems, as shifting rainfall and temperature patterns impact communities across various regions.
According to forecasts from WMO Global Producing Centres, there is nearly a 100% chance that El Niño will continue through February 2027. The persistent support of exceptionally warm waters across the tropical Pacific sustains the event’s growth. WMO anticipates El Niño will peak towards the close of 2026, with climate impacts extending into 2027. The organization warns that strong El Niño events can cause major shifts in global rainfall and temperature trends, increasing the likelihood of extreme weather events.
WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo emphasized the health risks during an urban heat resilience forum held in New York this week. She called on governments, health authorities, and community groups to work more closely with meteorological agencies. Urban areas are particularly vulnerable to heat because buildings and roads absorb heat during the day and slowly release it at night. Older adults, children, outdoor workers, and individuals with chronic health conditions face heightened risks during extended periods of high temperatures.
Health agencies bolster El Niño response efforts
On September 5, the World Health Organization released a comprehensive 63-page Global Public Health Situation Analysis focused on El Niño. This document supports countries and regions in assessing risks, preparing accordingly, and taking early action to protect vulnerable populations. WHO emphasizes the importance of health-system readiness as climate patterns shift across affected areas. The analysis leverages seasonal forecasts to help authorities identify periods and locations where heat, rainfall variations, and related health threats demand increased surveillance.
The WMO and WHO agree that rising temperatures and altered rainfall can boost conditions favorable to mosquito-borne illnesses such as malaria, dengue, chikungunya, yellow fever, and Zika. Cholera and malnutrition are also among the critical concerns in drought- and flood-affected regions. Over 150 million individuals are already experiencing severe food insecurity globally, adding strain to areas impacted by climate-induced disruptions to food production and livelihoods.
Converging threats of heat, disease, and food insecurity
As El Niño peaks in late 2026, southern Africa, South America, and Australia will enter their hottest seasonal periods. The WMO expressed concerns that this overlap could exacerbate droughts, wildfires, smoke, and worsening air pollution. Excessive heat can worsen cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, metabolic, and mental health issues. Smoke from wildfires and poor air quality further elevate respiratory risks, while prolonged heat exposure reduces recovery times for those living in poorly ventilated homes and densely populated urban environments.
WMO is actively collaborating with partners to enhance climate services related to health and to improve coordination between meteorological and public health sectors. The goal is to provide forecasts in formats that enable timely decisions by health agencies and emergency responders. WHO’s latest assessment underscores the need for intensified disease surveillance and rapid response capabilities as El Niño continues to alter temperature and rainfall patterns. Both organizations prioritize early warning systems, preparedness, and integrated climate-health information as central elements of their strategy to address the escalating impacts of the 2026 El Niño event.