Translated with AI
January 2026 was a month of extreme weather, including record snowfalls, severe frosts, torrential rains, and heat waves. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) reported this on January 30, emphasizing the importance of accurate forecasts and investment in early warning systems.
According to the WMO, natural disasters resulting in human casualties, economic losses, and environmental damage have been recorded in various regions of the world. Celeste Saulo, head of the organization, noted that extreme weather consistently ranks among the top risks in the World Economic Forum's annual Global Threats Report. "The number of people affected by weather and climate disasters is growing year after year, and in January, we saw their tragic consequences literally every day," she said.
Saulo also noted that in countries with effective early warning mechanisms, mortality from natural disasters is six times lower, making the "Early Warning Systems for All" initiative particularly relevant.
Frosts and winter storms
Despite a decline in the frequency of severe cold events globally since 1950, isolated severe cold spells persist. A weakening polar vortex has facilitated the intrusion of Arctic air into mid-latitudes, causing severe frosts in North America, Europe, and Asia.
Kamchatka received more than two meters of snow in the first two weeks of January, and another 3.7 meters in December 2025, making it one of the snowiest periods since the 1970s. In Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, traffic was virtually paralyzed, and snowdrifts blocked access to buildings and infrastructure.
In late January, a powerful winter storm struck Canada and the United States, causing widespread power outages, flight cancellations, and loss of life. The US National Weather Service warned that by January 31, a new wave of Arctic cold would spread south through the Plains states, the Great Lakes region, and the southeastern and eastern regions of the country. Some forecasts indicate that stratospheric warming over the Arctic could weaken the polar vortex in early February, setting the stage for a new intrusion of Arctic air into North America and Northern Europe in the second half of the month.
Heavy rains and floods
Europe has been hit by a series of storms bringing heavy rainfall, winds, and flooding, from Ireland and the UK to the Mediterranean. Meteorological services have warned of continued heavy rainfall in northwestern Europe and the Mediterranean.
The situation is particularly dire in southern Africa. In Mozambique, floods have affected at least 650,000 people, displacing hundreds of thousands, and damaging or destroying approximately 30,000 residential structures. South Africa declared a national disaster after torrential rains claimed dozens of lives.
Heat and forest fires
Australia experienced two heatwaves in January. In the city of Ceduna, the temperature reached 49.5 degrees Celsius, a record for the area. Scientists note that climate change increased the intensity of the January heatwave by approximately 1.6 degrees Celsius.
In Chile, wildfires have claimed at least 21 lives, and tens of thousands have been evacuated. Fires have also engulfed southern Argentina. According to a report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), human activity has increased the frequency and intensity of heat waves since the mid-20th century.
The role of early warnings
The WMO is stepping up its efforts to combat the impacts of extreme heat and other weather-related hazards, including through joint initiatives with the World Health Organization. Experts emphasize that January 2026 is yet another reminder that investing in early warning, climate resilience, and disaster preparedness saves lives.
