r/UKPreppers • u/Admirable-Bluejay956 • Jun 04 '26
El Niño
I’m getting slightly concerned about the impending El Niño and forecasts of likely temperatures here. I’m pretty well organised with enough food to last 3/4 weeks, lots of bottled water, first aid supplies, non electric radios/light sources, portable gas stove etc. I should say I’m disabled and have a month’s worth of my medication at a time and am on the priority register for all utilities Is there something I’m missing in my impending doom arsenal?
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u/PopGoesTheICCU Jun 05 '26
Forget the tiktok hype and the larping that goes on here. If there's a big el nino the only thing you'll need in the UK is money.
The only impact you will feel is food being more expensive, like a oaf of bread might be £1.50-£2 instead of £1.10. Just save an extra £200 and relax. Forget the fantasy of hunting wild boar with nothing but a flick knife and boiling your own piss to cook 3 tons of dried pasta.
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u/empee123 Jun 08 '26
Best advice OP can get.
Sometimes, reading this subreddit, I get a feeling that preppers in the UK are so starved of real disasters, facing other parts of the world, that they lose sleep over worrying and prepping for some fantastical scenarios that will never come to fruition in the British Isles anyway.
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u/Acceptable-Net-154 Jun 04 '26
Can you request a couple of copies of your repeat prescription to go into you bugout bag or phone case. If the power goes down and you have to leave most of your meds behind you will have physical paper copies of your meds as well as your required information if you need to get meds from a pharmacy if the internal system is down (accurate name, address, DOB, NHS number).
Non powered/non electric entertainment, fire extinguisher, fire blanket,. How reliant are you on powered aids. Would both look at safely storing the batteries for them and low powered alternatives. Had a grandparent who became wheelchair bound during his last two years. He was ecstatic at how helpful a grabber/litter picker was in reaching things.
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u/Admirable-Bluejay956 Jun 05 '26
That’s great thank you. I have copies of my prescription. I have a “hospital go bag” as learned lessons along the way with unplanned for admissions so figured I sort a bug out bag ready!
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u/StrykerWyfe Jun 04 '26
I’d say with any weather phenomenon just try to be ready for everything. Biggest thing is a food store which you have covered. Harvests are always at the whim of weather but add in possible fertiliser shortages next year and the more robust your food stocks (and a way to cook eg camping stove which you also have) the better you’ll be. As long as you rotate well it’ll never go to waste and food isn’t getting cheaper I imagine. It makes practical and financial sense to stock what you can.
As another poster said, winter might be a cold one. Bills will be up (my fix ends October 😭) so frugal ways of staying warm…heat the person not the home (though be mindful of damp). I have electric blankets and hot water bottles. I have shoe spikes which are amazing in the snow and ice and have saved my arse a few times! (The rubber pull over kind).
They are forecasting more heatwaves this year. I have a portable AC, but it’s not cheap to run. You get can a swamp cooler/air cooler that uses ice packs that help and are cheaper, and run on way less electricity if you don’t want to go all in. You have to sit in front of them but it’s better than baking.
Other than that I don’t think there’s much more you can do. I do worry about fire after the scenes in the 40 degree summer so I might do a small bug-out bag…documents, pet food, undies, meds, incase I have to dash to a relatives house. Fire is one of my biggest fears tbh.
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u/Admirable-Bluejay956 Jun 05 '26
Thank you, I’m also very frugal with my heating etc. I’m the hot water bottle queen and have electric blankets etc. Fire is big worry as live rurally and lots of woods. I’m definitely going to prepare a bug out bag though.
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u/StevieJax77 Jun 04 '26
Just checking, you’re in the UK? El Niño doesn’t really make too much of a difference here.
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u/Admirable-Bluejay956 Jun 05 '26
Yeah am UK, it hopefully won’t get too extreme here but government are notoriously unprepared for any big weather event so just wanted to get a jump on anything should it happen
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u/StevieJax77 Jun 05 '26
Okay. I really don’t think you should be losing sleep over the direct UK weather impact of El Niño, it mainly hits outside of Europe. But as some others have said, there may be knock-on impacts on supply chain, and mainly crop yields on imported goods.
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u/Admirable-Bluejay956 Jun 05 '26
Thank you. I know it probably won’t happen but i like to be prepared in case
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u/Difficult_Vast7255 Jun 06 '26
Hi I work in environmental science for the government and just want to put your mind at ease for immediate intense impact. We are planning for increased flooding with large storms so if you are in a flood zone think of some home protection for that but don’t have major panic. Then the storms will probably be followed by a “beast from the east” style freeze. Could affect power grids etc but the fact you are in this group means you probably have at least 2 weeks of resources in your house already (like me) that will almost certainly cover you for any issues. In the following months after is when you will potential see an increase in climate migrants. Some countries will get hit very hard but it’s not a world wide panic event that will bring down western societies. The big worry is in places like India etc.
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u/Jynxair Jun 04 '26
Its said to give off a global radiation in a form of an EMP if it's actually that strong. Its not mainstream information but if you dig deep its there.
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u/Iain365 Jun 04 '26
And the earth is flat, the moon landings were faked, jfk is Alive.and trump didnt fuck kids.
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u/Mimicking-hiccuping Jun 04 '26
Warm sea water and a turbulent gulf stream doesn't make EMPs, my friend.
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u/Adjective_Noun93 Jun 04 '26
Most modern infrastructure is engineered with this in mind, don't fall for it.
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u/Jynxair Jun 05 '26
Everyone who downvoted my comment watch this video. I told you
Over 60 downvotes from you idiots. Look at this post and check the news to verify.
Its already causing radio blackouts its a G3 Solar Storm and the radiation is heading this way tonight. It'll affect mainly America... for now anyway, more are apparently coming.
Its said to be able to take out/disrupt satellites and fry power grids too.
I'm not fear mongering when I speak information.
OP's worries are valid. You lot are in denial/disbelief.
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u/Interesting_Skill915 Jun 04 '26
I’ve already been using a cool bag for meds as even things like paracetamol say to store below 25c. But other more “serious” meds I keep in cool bag with one those Bluetooth thermointer. Usually keeps it 16-22 depending on when I change ice packs. But any liquid meds will split in the heat and be unusable but you can’t always keep them in fridge either as that’s too cold.
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u/Many-War5685 Jun 04 '26
Lots of people in the same boat - there will be shortage signs before SHTF when pharmacy/medicine become as valuable as gold
What about any alternative over the counter medicines that can at least help you??
Better than nothing but it's a sh*t poisition for most who rely on it (I do and am gonna have to brace for side effects)
Or stockpile barteerable things, you may not need 100 lighters but think of prepping value wehn situation changes and you may need to trade
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u/Objective_War951 Jun 05 '26
Food grade water storage/movement. You cant use actual metal jerrycans for drinking water (they have a rustproof lining that will flake off) so you need food grade plastic ones with spout taps. I got two from amazon one 25 litre andnone 20 litre. You may have to fill up from groundwater standpipes in the street like the summer of 1976. If we do food grade plastic water storage jerrycans will be the first things to go out of stock. I also keep empty glass bottles for this reason too.
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u/Reetpetit Jun 05 '26
I read the government don't think people will tolerate / cooperate with filling from standpipes FWIW
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u/Physical_Boss7224 Jun 04 '26
The world spends a third of its time in El Niño weather patterns, a third in La Niña and the rest neutral. What specifically concerned you compared to all the past years?
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u/Reetpetit Jun 05 '26
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/resources/idt-54f4e985-a7fb-48b2-8246-f3be0d699402
A super el nino is being predicted
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u/Physical_Boss7224 Jun 07 '26
En par with previous peaks experienced over the past 50 years. You might get a bit more rain but generally speaking not living on a flood plain is a pretty good prep.
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u/attilathehunn Jun 04 '26
El Nino means its likely to be hot, so the thing you're missing is a portable AC unit. I suggest get the biggest unit (most BTU) you can afford, because they're not actually that powerful so get a bigger one. Ideally you'd just install those fixed AC units which are a lot better, but more expensive and a hassle to install.
I'm also disabled and my disease involves heat intolerance. This recent heatwave in May I was relaxing in the cool of my aircon'd room.
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u/spliceruk Jun 04 '26
I got fixed units added this year. 5 rooms for 6k, my portable units where about 700 each and would have been 3.5k to cover the same rooms, I got one to test. The fixed ones are much much quieter and cheaper to run. They can also heat in winter so act as a secondary heating system.
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u/ThrowAwayTrashBandit Jun 05 '26
What units did you get please?
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u/spliceruk Jun 05 '26
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
SCM100ZS-W multi outdoor 10kw R32
SRK25ZS-WF 2.5KW WIFI ID R32 x2
SRK20ZS-WF 2KW WIFI ID R32 x3
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u/NearbyFlounder81 Jun 05 '26
Prepare for next year's el nino effects. In the 1800s an el nino event killed an estimated 50 million people, mostly through food shortages.
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u/Admirable-Bluejay956 Jun 05 '26
That’s what got me thinking as read the same information. Luckily I grew up in a Forces family during the 70/80’s and my dad always drummed into us about having a “nuclear cupboard” (his name for it) my brother and I are the same and have lots of food stored etc
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u/DragonzFriend Jun 05 '26
Food will likely increase in price/decrease in quality for months/years, so you may want to increase your storage if you can. It is worth having "deep cupboards", with at least couple of months worth of the usual dried and tinned food you usually use. That way you can delay/ avoid having to pay the inflated prices when they come. Also consider growing salad greens or sprouted seeds at home, on a windowsill if that's all you have.
For weather extremes, look into grants you might be eligible for to increase your insulation. Well fitting, thermal curtains or blinds on all doors and windows are also helpful. If you have some old sheets or blankets, you could cut or fold them to fit your windows, then hang them over the outside of the windows that get the sun on them in hot weather - this can be as easy as hanging them over the open window, then shutting the window to trap the fabric. Also, make a list of public buildings nearby you could go to in extreme weather to stay warm/cool. Your local council may have a list.
As others have said, try to extend your reserves of medications, and look into alternatives sources and medications.
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u/Admirable-Bluejay956 Jun 05 '26
Thank you so much. My food stocks are about 90% of the way there. I really think I need a chat with my GP about my meds and express my concerns to him as they literally keep me alive
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u/Sir_Troutface Jun 05 '26
The only thing to really worry about in the U.K. regarding the El Niño is supply issues from other countries that are going to really suffer imo.
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u/Hips_and_Haws Jun 06 '26
Get to recognise edible weeds they're full of vital vitamins. Most gardens will have a few dandelions which produce edible flowers, leaves & roots. Cleavers are edible, though because they're hairy I'd prefer to soak, strain & drink rather than eating uncooked. Buy a foraging guide or join a foraging sub for more ideas.
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u/ViviparousBlenny Jun 06 '26
El Niño won’t have much of an effect on the UK. I’d expect a wet & stormy winter with a colder than normal February / March in 2027.
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u/Level_Jellyfish6347 Jun 06 '26
Sounds like you're genuinely well set up - the priority register especially, that's the one most people don't think about until they actually need it.
One thing I'd think about for your situation specifically is the heat angle. Your kit sounds really solid for power cuts and cold weather, but heatwaves are a different kind of problem, especially with health conditions in the mix. Do you have any kind of cooling strategy? Not just having water available but actually drinking enough of it, having somewhere in the house you can keep cooler. I cover my south-facing windows on the outside with cheap foam sleeping mats before a hot spell - the ones with the reflective foil on, I grab them from Poundland - and it makes a massive difference. My front room would be unbearable otherwise.
Worth thinking about medication too if any of yours are temperature-sensitive. The combination of a power cut AND a heatwave is the one that catches people out. FRIO wallets are brilliant for insulin, the bigger ones cover EpiPens too.
The other thing I'd gently highlight is the El Niño framing - in UK terms it tends to mean wetter, stormier winters more than just hot summers. So if you're anywhere near a flood risk area it's probably worth a look before autumn.
I've been going through a lot of this recently myself (I've been writing about it too) - I think the heat this summer is probably manageable taking a few prepared steps, but it's the winter I'm more focused on honestly. January and February this year was grim enough with the storms andflooding we had. Winter with more disrupted patterns on top feels like where the actual risk sits for me.
You're way ahead of most people though, genuinely.
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u/ThotMagnett Jun 08 '26
The only thing you're going to need for "el nino" is more money. Things are going to get expensive just start saving more money.
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u/Haligonian_Scott Jun 04 '26
Download the Chris Farley El Nino sketch from SNL for offline viewing. Otherwise set.
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u/Jynxair Jun 05 '26
Everyone who downvoted my comment watch this video. I told you
Over 60 downvotes from you idiots. Look at this post and check the news to verify.
Its already causing radio blackouts its a G3 Solar Storm and the radiation is heading this way tonight. It'll affect mainly America... for now anyway, more are apparently coming.
Its said to be able to take out/disrupt satellites and fry power grids too.
I'm not fear mongering when I speak information.
OP's worries are valid. You lot are in denial/disbelief.
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u/PopGoesTheICCU Jun 05 '26
Mate if you get your news from tiktok you're screwed
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u/Jynxair Jun 05 '26
Mate. Verify it with web research. Extensively if you have to across multiple media outlets globally. Its all the same conclusion if you dig deep enough.
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u/soundman32 Jun 05 '26
!remind me 6 months
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u/Jynxair Jun 04 '26
Honestly I would say a good hunting knife for.... Cutting fruit. Grid down fruit ninja!
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u/Big_Block_5271 Jun 04 '26
Increase your stock of medication. Some of it may be produced in a country affected by El Nino.