Colombia faces extreme weather shifts amid El Niño

Colombia is experiencing significant climate variability driven by the El Niño phenomenon, characterized by alternating periods of high temperatures and intense, localized precipitation. In October, Ideam predicts air temperatures could rise up to 2.5°C above historical averages, particularly in the Andean and Caribbean regions, alongside a national rainfall deficit.

Despite the broader trend of drought, recent extreme weather events have caused localized emergencies. On October 5, a severe hailstorm and heavy rainfall hit Bogotá, causing flooding, fallen trees, and disruptions at El Dorado International Airport. The storm was preceded by unusually high temperatures near 24°C. In the Aburrá Valley, SIATA recorded 263 electrical discharges during a four-hour rain event.

In the Urabá region of Antioquia, heavy rains have triggered landslides and flooding, affecting over 1,000 families in Chigorodó, Carepa, Turbo, and Mutatá. Authorities have deployed humanitarian aid to these areas. While El Niño typically brings drier conditions, meteorologists note that it does not prevent intense, sudden storms that can lead to flash floods and mudslides.