GENEVA, SWITZERLAND / RankWire.AI / – The World Meteorological Organization has issued a call for nations to bolster health preparedness as El Niño gains strength globally. The climate phenomenon is predicted to reach a very strong intensity by the end of 2026, with major threats including extreme heat, flooding, drought, wildfire smoke, and worsening air quality, according to WMO. The organization also warns of risks to healthcare systems as variations in rainfall and temperature impact communities across multiple regions.
Forecasts from WMO Global Producing Centres indicate a nearly 100% probability that El Niño will last until February 2027. The persistent warm waters across the tropical Pacific support this ongoing intensification, with WMO anticipating a peak toward the end of 2026 and climate effects extending into 2027. The organization emphasized that strong El Niño events can substantially alter global rainfall and temperature patterns, heightening 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 risks associated with El Niño. She called on governments, health authorities, and community groups to work more closely with meteorological agencies. Urban areas are especially vulnerable because buildings and roads absorb heat during the day and release it slowly at night. Vulnerable populations such as the elderly, children, outdoor workers, and those with chronic illnesses are at increased risk during extended high-temperature periods.
Health authorities ramp up El Niño preparedness
On September 5, the World Health Organization released a 63-page Global Public Health Situation Analysis focused on El Niño. This report supports national and regional risk assessments, preparedness strategies, and early interventions aimed at vulnerable groups. WHO also emphasizes health system readiness as climate conditions evolve, utilizing seasonal forecasts to help authorities identify critical periods and locations where heat, rainfall variations, and related health threats require enhanced monitoring.
According to WMO and WHO, increased temperatures and altered rainfall can foster conditions conducive to mosquito-borne diseases, including malaria, dengue, chikungunya, yellow fever, and Zika. They also identified cholera and malnutrition as major concerns in drought- and flood-affected areas. Currently, over 150 million people are experiencing acute food insecurity worldwide, exacerbating pressures in regions already affected by climate-related disruptions to food production and livelihoods.
Compound risks of heat, illness, and hunger
As El Niño approaches its late-2026 peak, southern Africa, South America, and Australia will enter their hottest seasons. WMO expressed concerns that this overlap could lead to more droughts, wildfires, smoke, and deteriorating air quality. Elevated heat levels can worsen cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, metabolic, and mental health conditions, while wildfire smoke and poor air quality increase respiratory risks. Prolonged heat can also hinder recovery in densely built urban environments and poorly ventilated homes.
WMO is collaborating with partners to enhance climate services for health and improve links between meteorological and public health agencies. The goal is to provide forecasts in formats that enable timely decision-making by health and emergency response officials. WHO’s latest assessment underscores the importance of heightened disease surveillance and rapid response capabilities as El Niño influences temperature and rainfall patterns. Both organizations have prioritized early warning systems, preparedness, and coordinated climate-health information as central components of their response to the 2026 El Niño escalation.