Colombia braces for hotter, drier September as El Niño strengthens

Colombia's weather authority, the Ideam, warns that September will bring above-average temperatures, reduced rainfall, and lower river levels as El Niño conditions strengthen in the tropical Pacific. The agency projects maximum temperatures between 31°C and 38°C in parts of the Caribbean, Orinoquía, and Amazonía regions, with Valledupar potentially reaching 38°C, Cúcuta 37°C, and Neiva and Riohacha 36°C Source: infobae.

Key risks

The combination of heat and dryness raises the threat of vegetation fires, particularly in five Andean departments: Cundinamarca, Tolima, Nariño, Boyacá, and Antioquia Source: portafolioco. River levels are already declining in the Magdalena-Cauca basin, the Caribbean, and parts of the Pacific, and the trend may extend to the Orinoquía and Amazonía Source: infobae. The Ideam also flags potential deterioration in air quality Source: portafolioco.

Not all rain disappears

The agency stresses that isolated extreme events—such as strong winds, intense downpours, or cold snaps in high mountains—can still occur, but the overall tendency is drier and hotter Source: infobae. The forecast is tied to the ongoing strengthening of El Niño, as noted in an international update on August 13 Source: portafolioco.

What's next

The Ideam urges citizens, local authorities, and productive sectors to follow official channels in the coming weeks. The conditions are expected to persist at least until the end of September Source: portafolioco.