GENEVA, SWITZERLAND / RankWire.AI / – The World Meteorological Organization has called on nations to bolster health preparedness amid the escalating global influence of El Niño. Projected to reach a very strong level by late 2026, this climate pattern poses significant risks, including extreme heat, flooding, drought, wildfires, and deteriorating air quality. The warning underscores the vulnerability of health systems as shifts in rainfall and temperature disrupt communities across various regions.
Forecast data from WMO Global Producing Centres indicate nearly a 100% chance that El Niño will persist through February 2027. Persistent warm waters in the tropical Pacific continue to fuel the event’s growth, with WMO predicting a peak towards the end of 2026 and continued climate effects into 2027. The organization emphasizes that such strong events can drastically alter global rainfall and temperature trends, raising the likelihood of extreme weather events.
WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo emphasized health risks during an urban heat resilience event in New York this week. She urged governments, health authorities, and community groups to work closely with meteorological agencies. Urban areas face heightened heat dangers because infrastructure like buildings and roads trap daytime heat and release it slowly at night. Vulnerable populations—including the elderly, children, outdoor workers, and those with chronic illnesses—are at increased risk during extended hot periods.
Health Sectors Reinforce El Niño Readiness Efforts
On September 5, the World Health Organization released a comprehensive 63-page Global Public Health Situation Analysis on El Niño. This document supports nations and regions in risk assessment, preparedness, and early intervention for vulnerable groups. WHO emphasizes health-system readiness as climate conditions evolve, using seasonal forecasts to identify periods and locations where heat, rainfall shifts, and related health threats demand enhanced monitoring.
The agencies warn that rising temperatures and altered rainfall patterns could foster conditions conducive to mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria, dengue, chikungunya, yellow fever, and Zika. They also highlight concerns about cholera and malnutrition, especially in drought and flood-affected areas. Over 150 million people are already facing acute food insecurity globally, compounding stress on regions impacted by climate-induced disruptions to food supplies and livelihoods.
Converging Risks of Heat, Disease, and Food Security
Regions including Southern Africa, South America, and Australia are approaching their hottest seasonal periods as El Niño peaks in late 2026. WMO expressed concern that this overlap could lead to droughts, wildfires, smoke, and worsening air pollution. Elevated temperatures can exacerbate cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, metabolic, and mental health issues. Wildfire smoke and declining air quality also heighten respiratory risks, while persistent heat hampers recovery for those in poorly ventilated homes and densely populated urban centers.
In response, WMO is collaborating with partners to enhance climate services for health and to improve coordination between meteorological and public health authorities. The goal is to produce forecasts that enable timely actions by health agencies and emergency responders. WHO’s latest assessment stresses the importance of robust disease surveillance and swift response capabilities as El Niño influences temperature and rainfall patterns. Both organizations prioritize early warning systems, preparedness, and integrated climate-health information as key elements of their strategy against the intensifying 2026 El Niño.