• Admin
• October 24, 2026
• 1 Comment

It’s one of those days when stepping outside feels like a chore. You’re sweating before you’ve even reached your destination, your room refuses to cool down, and by evening, all you want to do is get some proper rest.

Hot weather can be uncomfortable, but when it lasts for days or becomes unusually intense, it can affect more than your daily routine. It can make it harder to sleep, increase the risk of dehydration and, in serious cases, cause heat-related illness.

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) reported in September 2026 that El Niño was expected to strengthen, increasing the risk of extreme weather into 2027. Its effects will vary by region, so what someone experiences in one country may be very different from what happens elsewhere. The WMO’s El Niño update explains what forecasters are watching.

Whether you’re living abroad, managing a household or checking in on family in another country, a little preparation can go a long way.

Here’s what to keep in mind.

1. Start With the Things You Can Control

You can’t control the weather, but you can make a few changes to how you deal with it.

If you know a particularly hot day is coming, try to organise your routine around it. Where possible, schedule outdoor activities for cooler parts of the day, take breaks in shaded or cooler places, and drink water regularly.

At home, keeping direct sunlight out during the hottest parts of the day can help. You can also reduce unnecessary indoor heat, wear light clothing and use a cool shower or damp cloth when you need to cool down.

If your room stays hot long after the sun goes down, sleeping can become difficult too. That means your preparation shouldn’t stop at getting through the afternoon. Think about how you’ll stay comfortable throughout the day and night.

We’ve put together Practical Ways to Make Your Room more Comfortable when it feels like an Oven if you need ideas for your living space.

2. Know When the Heat Is Affecting Your Health

Sometimes, feeling tired after spending time in the heat is exactly what you’d expect. But there are times when your body is telling you that something more serious is happening.

Headaches, dizziness, unusual weakness, heavy sweating, nausea and muscle cramps can be signs of heat exhaustion. If you experience them, stop what you’re doing, move somewhere cooler, cool your skin with a damp cloth or cool water, and drink water if you’re alert and able to swallow safely.

You should start to feel better as your body cools. If symptoms persist for around 30 minutes, get worse or include repeated vomiting, seek urgent medical help.

Heatstroke is a medical emergency. Confusion, seizures or loss of consciousness are serious warning signs. If you suspect heatstroke, call emergency medical services immediately and begin cooling the person while waiting for help. Do not give them anything to drink if they’re confused or unable to swallow safely.

Young children, older adults and people with certain health conditions may need extra attention during periods of extreme heat.

For more information, the NHS guide to heat exhaustion and heatstroke explains the symptoms and what to do.

3. Remember the People Who May Need Your Help

When you’re busy dealing with your own day, it’s easy to forget that someone else may be struggling with the heat too.

Perhaps your children are spending more time indoors, an older parent lives alone, or a relative is working long hours in a hot environment.

Check in with them. Ask how they’re coping, whether they’re getting enough water and whether their living space is comfortable. If someone is feeling unwell, don’t dismiss it as an ordinary reaction to hot weather.

And if your family lives in another country, remember that their conditions may be different from yours. Check the weather forecast for their actual location rather than assuming you’re experiencing the same thing.

Sometimes, helping from a distance also means sorting out the everyday things that make life easier.

If your family needs groceries, you can check available options through the globally accessible Planettalk website. Participating grocery retailers listed may include SPAR, Justrite, Market Square, Prince Ebeano Supermarket, Jendol Superstores, Grand Square, Olmart Stores, Hypercity Supermarket and Grocery Bazaar, among others. Available retailers and products depend on the options shown for your purchase.

If you’re living abroad and have family in Nigeria, PlanetTalk makes it easier pay for their utility bills like Electricity from where ever you are or send airtime and data top-ups to help your loved ones stay connected. You can also download the Planettak app to access these services, the app is available for download in the UK, USA, Canada, France and Ireland.

These options give you practical ways to support family back home even when you can’t be there in person.

4. Don’t Assume Every Country Will Experience the Same Thing

El Niño is a climate pattern that develops in the tropical Pacific Ocean and influences weather patterns around the world. It can affect temperatures and rainfall, but its effects vary depending on the region and season.

Some places may face an increased risk of extreme heat or drought, while others may experience different rainfall patterns, including flooding. The strength of an El Niño event alone does not determine exactly what will happen in a particular country.

This matters if you have family spread across different countries. Your local weather forecast won’t tell you everything about what’s happening where they live.

Follow updates from your local meteorological service and public health authorities. If you have relatives abroad, encourage them to do the same. Local forecasts and heat warnings will be more useful for day-to-day decisions than assuming the entire world will experience El Niño in the same way.

You can also follow the World Meteorological Organization’s El Niño/La Niña updates for information on how the event is developing.

For more context on the climate outlook, read El Niño 2026–2027: What Nigerians at Home and Abroad Need to Know.

5. Make Preparing for Hot Weather a Family Conversation

Preparing for extreme heat doesn’t have to be complicated. Start by thinking about what your household needs and what could become difficult if the weather stays hot.

Do you have enough drinking water? Can everyone find somewhere cool to rest? Are children and older relatives getting the attention they need? Does anyone in the household work outdoors for long periods?

If you live far from your family, ask similar questions when you check in. You may not be able to manage their environment yourself, but you can help them think through what they need and find practical ways to support them.

For more ideas, read Our Guide to Preparing your Household for Hot Weather.

Final Thoughts

Extreme heat can affect how we work, sleep, travel and care for the people around us. And while El Niño’s effects won’t be the same everywhere, understanding the conditions in your area can help you prepare.

Pay attention to local weather updates, make your living space as comfortable as possible, recognise the signs of heat-related illness and check on the people who may need extra support.

And if your family lives in another country, remember that being far away doesn’t mean you can’t help with everyday needs. Through the Planettalk’s website, you can purchase grocery for family back home, pay utility bills and send airtime or data top-ups where ever you are.

The weather may be outside your control, but how you prepare for it and how you look after the people you care about isn’t.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can El Niño affect hot weather?

El Niño influences global weather patterns, including temperature and rainfall. Its effects vary by region and season, so local forecasts and official weather updates are important for understanding what to expect.

How can I protect myself during extreme heat?

Drink water regularly, reduce strenuous activity during the hottest parts of the day, wear light clothing and find ways to keep your living space cool. Pay attention to symptoms such as dizziness, weakness and nausea.

Who is most at risk during periods of extreme heat?

Young children, older adults, people with certain health conditions and people who work or exercise outdoors may face a higher risk of heat-related illness. People who live alone or have limited access to cooling may also need extra support.

How can I help family members who live in another country during extreme heat?

Check in with them, encourage them to follow local weather guidance and ask whether they need help with everyday essentials. PlanetTalk lets you check grocery options for family in Nigeria, pay eligible utility bills and explore airtime or data top-ups, depending on destination and provider availability.

Sources

• World Meteorological Organization — El Niño and Extreme Weather Risks Into 2027
• World Meteorological Organization — El Niño/La Niña Updates
• World Health Organization — Heat and Health
• NHS — Heat Exhaustion and Heatstroke