Colombia is experiencing a striking mix of weather extremes this week, according to the country’s Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology and Environmental Studies (Ideam). In the central and southern highlands, several towns have registered unusually low early-morning temperatures. Paipa, a town in Boyacá department known for its cool climate, dropped to 2.4°C (about 36°F), while Yopal, in the eastern plains region, recorded its coldest morning on record for that area.
At the same time, low-lying regions, interandean valleys, and parts of the Caribbean coast are baking under above-average heat, with humidity pushing the perceived temperature even higher than the actual thermometer reading.
Ideam explains that the contrast isn’t as puzzling as it seems. Clear night skies combined with weak winds allow heat to escape quickly from the ground in higher-altitude areas, driving overnight temperatures sharply down. Meanwhile, in warmer lowland zones, high humidity traps heat close to the surface, intensifying how hot it feels during the day.
The agency attributes this pattern largely to Colombia’s varied geography — from Andean peaks to tropical lowlands — combined with the seasonal transition that typically occurs in September, a month when weather patterns across the country tend to shift and become more unpredictable.
Curious about how these temperature swings might affect your region? You can read the full report from El Tiempo for more details.
Source: ‘Estamos pasando por una transición de extremos’: Ideam explica porqué hace frío en unas zonas y calor en otras (eltiempo.com). English version produced with AI assistance.
Image: Shmector, BY 2.0 (via Openverse).