Natural phenomena were recorded worldwide, leading to significant human casualties and damage to the economy and ecology.According to WMO head Celeste Saulo, "extreme weather consistently ranks high on the list of global risks according to the World Economic Forum. The number of people affected by climate disasters continues to rise, and in January we witnessed their tragic consequences daily."
She noted that in countries with effective early warning systems, the mortality rate from natural disasters is six times lower, making the initiative "Early Warning Systems for All" particularly important.
Winter Cold and Storms
Despite the overall trend of decreasing frequency of severe cold spells since 1950, individual powerful cold snaps continue to occur. The weakening of the polar vortex led to an intrusion of Arctic air into mid-latitudes, causing severe frosts in North America, Europe, and Asia. This phenomenon is due to a large area of cold air and strong winds circulating around the Arctic.In Kamchatka, more than two meters of snow fell in the first two weeks of January, with an additional 3.7 meters in December, marking the heaviest snowfall since the 1970s. In Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, transportation was virtually paralyzed due to snowdrifts.
At the end of January, a powerful winter storm hit Canada and the USA, causing widespread power outages, flight cancellations, and human casualties. The National Weather Service of the USA warned of a new wave of Arctic cold that would cover southern areas, the Great Lakes, and eastern regions of the country by January 31.
Some meteorological forecasts indicate that stratospheric warming over the Arctic may significantly weaken the polar vortex in early February, creating conditions for a new intrusion of Arctic air into North America and Northern Europe in the second half of the month.
Rains and Floods
Europe faced a series of storms accompanied by heavy precipitation and flooding, affecting areas from Ireland and the UK to Mediterranean countries. Meteorological services warned of continued high levels of precipitation in Northwestern Europe and the Mediterranean.Southern Africa also faced a severe situation. According to Mozambican authorities, floods affected about 650,000 people, hundreds of thousands were forced to leave their homes, and around 30,000 dwellings were damaged or destroyed. South Africa declared a national disaster due to torrential rains that claimed dozens of lives.
Heat and Fires
Australia experienced two heatwaves during January. In the town of Ceduna, temperatures reached a record 49.5 degrees Celsius. Scientists note that climate change has made the heat this month approximately 1.6 degrees more intense.In Chile, wildfires claimed the lives of at least 21 people, and many were evacuated. Fires also spread across southern Argentina. According to the IPCC, human activity has led to an increase in the frequency and intensity of heatwaves since the mid-20th century.
The Importance of Early Warnings
The WMO is intensifying its efforts to combat the impacts of extreme heat and other weather threats through joint initiatives with the World Health Organization.January 2026 served as further evidence that investments in early warning systems and disaster preparedness can save lives.
Photo on the main page is illustrative: idea.int.
