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2026-08-12 17:35 UTC → 2026-08-13 16:43 UTC ·
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El Salvador drought ends; Honduras faces water crisis enters third drought; heat impacts region
The severe meteorological While previous rains briefly ended the drought in El Salvador, which lasted from 13 July to 6 August, has officially ended as recent rains broke the dry spell country has entered a third meteorological drought period. As of August 7, several monitoring stations have reported no rainfall, and lowered nationwide temperatures. While rainfall is expected to continue the Ministerio de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales (MARN) notes that while localized storms may occur in central northern and western departments, mountainous sectors, the eastern zone general trend remains warm dry. El Salvador continues to face a heatwave, with reduced precipitation. temperatures reaching up to 42°C. In neighboring Honduras, the situation water crisis remains critical. Prolonged critical due to prolonged drought exacerbated by and El Niño and a “super-Niño” has severely strained water reservoirs supplying Tegucigalpa, effects, threatening the water supply for an estimated 1.3 to 1.5 million people. Experts have warned that without a declared water emergency people near Tegucigalpa. Regional weather remains volatile, with high temperatures and a national coordination centre, the crisis could destabilize sporadic rainfall expected across much of Central America. Additionally, the government Dominican Republic is experiencing extreme weather. The Instituto Dominicano de Meteorología (INDOMET) has warned of President Xiomara Asfura. Immediate priorities include securing water for hospitals and shelters “suffocating heat” through August 18, with temperatures likely exceeding 33°C and distributing water via tanker trucks potentially surpassing 37°C in northern regions due to vulnerable communities. Weather patterns across the region remain volatile. In Saharan dust and El Salvador, temperatures Niño. Urban flood alerts are expected to remain high, with the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources forecasting peaks of 42°C in the eastern region; a station in San Miguel recently recorded a heat index of 48.1°C. Although place for Greater Santo Domingo as tropical waves may bring sporadic evening rainfall, climate expert Moisés Urbina warns that El Niño and global warming could result in dry conditions through the end of the year, potentially impacting food security. In Honduras, Copeco forecasts mostly dry conditions, though isolated showers may occur in western, central, and eastern regions, with temperatures reaching 40°C in Choluteca. potential thunderstorms.