Why is Cuenca so cold lately?
If you've been feeling extra chilly in Cuenca, you're not alone. The city is going through a particularly cold and rainy summer season, with temperatures dipping between 8 and 12°C in the mornings.
According to Rigoberto Guerrero, deputy manager of Environmental Management at ETAPA EP, the culprit is thick cloud cover, which blocks sunlight and prevents the atmosphere from warming up. That’s why the cold feels even more intense than the actual temperature.
More rain than usual
On top of the cold, Cuenca has seen above-average rainfall this February—90 to 110 mm, compared to the usual 60 to 70 mm. While the rainy season typically kicks off in March and April, this year it arrived early and stronger than expected.
Looking ahead, rainfall is expected to gradually increase through the first half of 2025, before giving way to a drier season from May to August.
Flooding and river alerts
The heavy rains have saturated the soil, increasing the risks of river overflows, landslides, and falling trees. As of February 17, 2025:
Tomebamba River entered a pre-alert phase.
Machángara and Yanuncay Rivers reached alert levels.
María Verónica Polo, ETAPA EP’s manager, warned that river levels will stay high and urged residents to avoid riverbanks, parks, and walkways until conditions improve.
Stay safe: precautionary measures
The Municipal Cleaning Company (EMAC EP) is advising residents to:
✅ Avoid standing under large or leaning trees.
✅ Keep the streets clean—don’t litter, as trash can block sewers and lead to flooding.
Rising river levels have already eroded riverbanks, increasing the risk of falling trees. Luis Quituisaca, a Green Areas Technician, assured that specialists are inspecting at-risk trees, prioritizing those near roads, schools, and parks.
If a tree poses an immediate danger, it's removed right away. Otherwise, a request must be sent to the Ministry of the Environment for authorization.
Road closure for tree removal
To prevent accidents, the Municipality has announced that Avenida 3 de Noviembre will be closed from February 19 to 21, between Avenida de las Américas and Los Cedros, from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM for emergency tree removal. Alternate routes: Ordoñez Lasso, Ricardo Darquea, and Víctor M. Albornoz.
Is climate change to blame?
According to Guerrero, climate change is making extreme weather events more frequent. Cuenca has already seen a pattern of alternating between long droughts and intense rainy seasons.
For instance:
2023 had the longest recorded drought in Cuenca’s history.
2024 broke that record with 160 days of hydrological drought.
What used to happen once in decades is now happening year after year—a clear sign that climate change is reshaping the region’s weather patterns.
Source: El Mercurio.