January 2026 turned out to be a month of sharp climate changes, including extreme heat, severe frosts, and heavy rains. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) noted that these events highlight the need for accurate forecasts and investments in early warning systems.
According to the WMO, natural disasters occurred worldwide, leading to significant human casualties, economic losses, and ecological damage.
“Extreme weather conditions continue to be one of the most serious risks mentioned in the annual report of the World Economic Forum on global threats. The number of people affected by climate disasters is steadily rising, and January was a vivid confirmation of this,” said Celeste Saulo, head of the WMO.
She added that in countries where effective early warning mechanisms are implemented, the mortality rate from natural disasters is six times lower, making the project “Early Warning Systems for All” particularly relevant.
Winter Frosts and Storms
Although, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the global frequency of severe cold has been decreasing since 1950, this does not exclude isolated cases of powerful cold snaps.The weakening of the polar vortex led to the intrusion of Arctic air into temperate latitudes, causing severe frosts in North America, Europe, and Asia. The polar vortex is a vast area of cold air that circulates in the upper atmosphere around the Arctic and sometimes weakens, allowing cold air to spread to southern regions.
In Kamchatka, over two meters of snow fell in the first two weeks of January, with an additional 3.7 meters recorded in December. This became one of the snowiest periods since the 1970s, leading to the paralysis of transportation in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, where snowdrifts blocked access to buildings and infrastructure.
At the end of January, a winter storm hit Canada and the United States, causing widespread power outages, flight cancellations, and human casualties. The National Weather Service of the United States warned that a new wave of Arctic cold is expected by January 31, spreading south through the plains states and Great Lakes regions.
Some meteorologists also point out that stratospheric warming over the Arctic could lead to a significant weakening of the polar vortex in early February, creating conditions for a new intrusion of Arctic air into North America and Northern Europe in the latter half of the month.
Floods and Heavy Rains
European countries faced a series of storms accompanied by heavy precipitation and flooding, affecting Ireland, the United Kingdom, and Mediterranean countries. Meteorological services warn of continued elevated precipitation in Northwestern Europe and the Mediterranean.In southern Africa, the situation proved particularly severe. According to Mozambican authorities, floods affected at least 650,000 people, and hundreds of thousands were forced to leave their homes, while around 30,000 dwellings were damaged or destroyed. South Africa declared a national disaster after heavy rains claimed dozens of lives.
Fires and Heat
Australia experienced two heatwaves during the month. In the town of Ceduna, temperatures reached a record 49.5 degrees Celsius. Scientists note that climate change has increased the intensity of January's heat by approximately 1.6 degrees.In Chile, wildfires claimed the lives of at least 21 people, forcing tens of thousands to evacuate their homes. Fires also affected southern Argentina. According to the IPCC report, climate change driven by human activity has increased the frequency and intensity of heatwaves since the mid-20th century.
The WMO continues to actively work on mitigating the impacts of extreme heat and other weather threats, including joint initiatives with the World Health Organization.
