Heavy rains hit Bogotá and Medellín amid ongoing heatwave

Heavy rains swept through Bogotá and Medellín on the night of July 22-23, bringing localized flooding and raising river levels, but the downpour contrasts with an earlier heatwave that pushed temperatures 2–3°C above normal in the Valle de Aburrá.

Contrasting Conditions

In Bogotá, rain began Wednesday night and persisted into Thursday morning, affecting mobility in Suba, Fontibón, and Engativá Source: eltiempoco. The Ideam reported moderate rises in the Chochal and Une rivers and placed the Guayuriba sub-basin on orange alert. In Medellín, the Siata recorded accumulations up to 8 mm in the south and 6 mm in the west, though no major emergencies were reported Source: eltiempoco.

Yet just days earlier, the region had been sweltering. According to El Colombiano, temperatures in the first half of July exceeded historical averages by 2–3°C, reaching 32°C in some areas, with scant rainfall—only two low-intensity events Source: elcolombiano. Julián Sepúlveda of Siata attributed the heat to a strengthening El Niño–Southern Oscillation Source: elcolombiano.

Forecast and Recommendations

The Ideam forecasts lighter rains on July 23 in Valle de Aburrá and parts of Cundinamarca, with temperatures in Medellín between 17°C and 26°C and a 97% chance of rain Source: infobae. However, Siata warns that the heat will persist into August, with continued low rainfall and high solar radiation, increasing fire risk Source: elcolombiano. Authorities advise residents to monitor river levels, avoid unnecessary travel during storms, and prepare for prolonged dry conditions.