Where Does Weather Play a Role?
There are many areas where weather plays a key role. Here are a few examples:
- Seasonal disease outbreak – weather influences the onset and progression of seasonal illnesses like the flu
- Vector-borne diseases – weather conditions affect the activity of disease-carrying organisms like ticks and mosquitoes
- Extreme weather events (heat waves, cold weather, natural disasters) – these can impact overall health, increasing risks such as dehydration, heart attacks, and other health complications
- Chronic health conditions (cardiovascular and respiratory problems, mental health) – it is well known that these conditions can be influenced by weather changes. Some individuals, known as meteosensitive people, are particularly affected
- Air quality – temperature inversions or wildfires can cause poor air quality, increasing the risk of respiratory issues
- Pollen season – weather conditions affect blooming periods and the spread of pollen, impacting people with allergies
Flu Season Outbreak
Weather is an important factor in the onset of seasonal illnesses. Conditions such as colds, flu, and other respiratory infections become more common as temperatures drop. People spend more time indoors, allowing viruses to spread more easily. Additionally, cold and dry air helps viruses survive longer while also dehydrating nasal passages and reducing mucus production, which weakens natural defenses.
Knowing when flu season begins helps healthcare providers prepare in terms of capacity and resources. It also plays a key role in determining the best time to launch prevention programs. While this is still an area of research, models that incorporate weather forecasts are already being used to predict the start and peak of flu seasons.
Extreme weather events
Extreme weather events have a direct and significant impact on health. Exposure to high temperatures can lead to heat stroke and dehydration, as well as cardiovascular, respiratory, and cerebrovascular diseases. Extreme cold, on the other hand, increases the risk of frostbite and hypothermia.
Beyond these direct effects, extreme weather can disrupt transportation and overwhelm healthcare facilities, affecting the quality of care. Other natural disasters, such as floods or strong winds, also have both direct and indirect health impacts. Being aware of these events in advance is crucial for preparedness and can help save lives.
Air quality
According to a report released by the Health Effects Institute (HEI), an independent U.S.-based nonprofit research organization, air pollution accounted for 8.1 million deaths globally in 2021. More than 90% of these deaths - 7.8 million people - were attributed to PM2.5 air pollution, including both ambient PM2.5 and household air pollution.
Knowing the current ambient air quality and its forecast allows individuals to plan their activities accordingly. When air quality is poor, it is advisable to reduce outdoor activities, limit the infiltration of outdoor air into indoor spaces, use air purifiers to enhance indoor air quality, and minimize physical exertion, especially near pollution sources.
For individuals with allergies, pollen forecasts are also available to help manage symptoms more effectively.
How Can This Help Businesses?
Given the significant impact of weather on health, how can an accurate weather forecast benefit your business?
By knowing when seasonal illnesses are likely to begin, healthcare providers can improve planning and intervention strategies, such as:
- distributing vaccines and antivirals efficiently
- allocating healthcare staff and hospital resources more effectively
- optimising prevention campaigns and marketing
Anticipating these events in advance can also assist with inventory management, pricing strategies, and targeted advertising. Businesses with digital displays, such as pharmacies, can use real-time weather-based ads – not just for medications but also for products like insect repellents.
If you believe an accurate weather forecast could benefit your business, contact us at Meteosource. We would be happy to assist with the integration and implementation of weather-based solutions.
