The Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology of Panama confirmed in a statement presented on Wednesday, July 29, decreased rainfall and high temperatures in several provinces throughout the country.

 According to Imhpa, rainfall will be below normal in several provinces of the country throughout the months of August, September, and October (typically the rainy season in Panama). The director highlighted that some areas have already experienced 70% less rainfall than normal this year. 

Here are the provinces that will experience less rain this rainy season in Panama 2026: 

• Coclé
• Panama West
• Central and eastern areas of the province of Panama 
• The Panama Canal basin
•  Herrera
• Central/southern Veraguas

Along with less rain will come higher-than-normal temperatures.

Higher than normal could be between 2°C and 3°C above normal, and in the central provinces like Panama West and Coclé, the increase could reach up to 4°C.

The statement highlighted the warming waters in the equatorial Pacific Ocean. Warmer-than-usual waters are expected in both the Pacific and the Panamanian Caribbean. This will have effects on wildlife.

These effects are already materializing. Panama is seeing seabirds that are not typically seen. These sightings of uncommon species are happening across the country, reported Rosabel Miró, executive director of the Audubon Society of Panama (SAP). 

Miró explains that the warming of the Humboldt Current, which normally supports one of the planet’s most productive marine ecosystems, will have an effect on the whole food chain. 

Sources: La Prensa / Ebird