January 2026 turned out to be a month of significant climate contrasts, marked by both severe frosts and abnormally high temperatures. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) emphasizes that such events highlight the need for accurate forecasts and investments in early warning systems, the organization stated.
According to WMO data, natural disasters occurred worldwide, leading to enormous human losses, economic damages, and environmental problems.
“It is not surprising that extreme weather conditions consistently rank among the top risks in the annual Global Risks Report by the World Economic Forum. The number of people affected by climate disasters is growing every year, and in January, we witnessed their tragic consequences almost every day,” noted Celeste Saulo, head of WMO.
She added that in countries with effective early warning systems, the mortality rate from natural disasters is six times lower, making the "Early Warning Systems for All" program particularly important.
Winter Frosts and Storms
According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), despite an overall decrease in the frequency of severe cold spells since 1950, individual powerful cold snaps still occur.The weakening of the polar vortex created conditions for the intrusion of Arctic air into mid-latitudes, leading to harsh frosts in North America, Europe, and Asia. This phenomenon is associated with a large area of cold air and strong winds, which typically exists around the Arctic in the upper layers of the atmosphere and sometimes loses its strength, allowing the cold to spread southward.
In Kamchatka, over two meters of snow fell in the first two weeks of January, following 3.7 meters in December, making it one of the snowiest periods since the 1970s. In Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, traffic was almost paralyzed, and snowdrifts blocked access to buildings and infrastructure.
At the end of January, a severe winter storm also hit Canada and the United States, causing widespread power outages, flight cancellations, and casualties. The National Weather Service of the United States warned that a new wave of Arctic cold was expected by January 31, spreading south through the plains states and Great Lakes regions.
Some meteorological forecasts indicate that stratospheric warming over the Arctic may weaken the polar vortex in early February, creating conditions for a new intrusion of cold air into North America and Northern Europe in the second half of the month.
Rain and Flooding
Europe faced a series of storms accompanied by heavy rains and flooding—from Ireland and the UK to Mediterranean countries. Meteorological services warned of continued intense precipitation in Northwestern Europe and the Mediterranean.The situation in southern Africa was particularly severe. According to Mozambican authorities, floods affected at least 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 the lives of dozens of people.
Abnormal Heat and Wildfires
Australia experienced two heatwaves during the month. In the town of Ceduna, temperatures reached 49.5 degrees Celsius—a record for the region. Scientists emphasize that climate change has made January's heat approximately 1.6 degrees more intense.Wildfires in Chile claimed the lives of at least 21 people, and tens of thousands were evacuated. Fires also spread to the southern regions of Argentina. According to the IPCC report, anthropogenic climate change has increased the frequency and intensity of hot periods since the mid-20th century.
The WMO is intensifying efforts to combat the impacts of extreme heat and other weather threats, including joint initiatives with the World Health Organization.
