Panama’s Rainy Season late arrival

Alcely Lau Melo, climatology manager of the Electric Transmission Company (Etesa) announced that the organization expects this year the transition to the rainy season will be later than usual.

Experts indicated earlier this week that due to the El Niño Phenomenon that creates changes in weather patterns, rainy season is expected to arrive later than usual, therefore it is necessary for the country to begin putting in place a series of protocols for water saving. 

There are several negative effects of a late rainy season including a scarcity of drinking water in the country, that affects both people and animals along with economic losses in the Panama Canal. As the Panama Canal Authority applies water saving measures and draft restriction "The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) recently confirmed that 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 have been the four warmest years for which data are available. Furthermore that it is likely 2019 it will be even warmer than 2018. 

In Chiriquí and Sur de Veraguas, the rains are expected to begin between April 15 and 30. Meanwhile in the Pacific region, which includes Azuero, Coclé and Panama West, could start between May 1 and 15. Lastly in the Darién and the province of Panama from April 25 to May 5. Information from Administración Nacional Oceánica y Atmosférica (NOAA) as published in Panama America 2019.