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“Fungal Storms” are becoming a growing public health concern across the United States. Changing weather patterns help dangerous spores travel far beyond their traditional boundaries in the Desert Southwest.

Scientists and health experts warn that climate change is creating ideal conditions for the spread of Valley Fever, a potentially serious fungal disease caused by inhaling microscopic spores found in dry soil.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Valley Fever cases are increasing in states where the disease was once rarely seen. Experts say hotter temperatures, prolonged droughts, dust storms, hurricanes, and sudden flooding events are all contributing to the spread of these so-called “fungal storms.”

What Are ‘Fungal Storms’?

Despite the dramatic name, fungal storms are not an official weather phenomenon. The term refers to environmental conditions that allow fungal spores to become airborne and spread over large distances.

The fungus responsible for Valley Fever, known as Coccidioides, thrives in desert soil. When heavy rains occur, the fungus can multiply underground. Once the soil dries out again, strong winds and dust storms can lift the spores into the air, where people unknowingly inhale them.

Researchers say climate-driven weather extremes are intensifying the cycle. Severe drought followed by intense rainfall creates the perfect environment for the fungus to grow and spread.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has also highlighted concerns that climate change could dramatically expand the geographic range of fungal diseases in North America.

Valley Fever Fungal Storms Expand Beyond the Southwest

Historically, Valley Fever has been concentrated in parts of Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Texas. However, scientists now say the disease is steadily moving northward.

Dr. John Galgiani, director of the Valley Fever Center for Excellence at the University of Arizona College of Medicine Tucson, explained how changing rainfall and heat patterns affect the spread of the fungus.

“When it rains, we see a bloom of this fungus in the dirt or in rodent burrows. And then when things dry out, those spores become airborne,” Galgiani said.

California alone has already recorded more than 2,100 Valley Fever cases in 2026, according to data from the California Department of Public Health. Experts also report increasing cases in Oregon and Washington.

Some projections suggest the fungus could eventually spread into parts of the Midwest and even southern Canada within the coming decades.

Fungal Storms Symptoms

One reason Valley Fever is particularly concerning is that it can be difficult to diagnose. Many people mistake the symptoms for the flu, COVID-19, or ordinary pneumonia.