Heavy Rains and Storms Expected Across Ecuador Through the Weekend

If you have travel plans this weekend, check the forecast before you go. Ecuador's meteorological agency INAMHI is warning of continued heavy rainfall with localized intense storm events affecting large parts of the country through at least February 8.

Today's Forecast (February 6)

INAMHI expects "punctual events" of intense rainfall today, particularly in:

• Coastal interior (Litoral) -- Los Rios, inland Guayas, Santo Domingo
• Amazon region -- Napo, Orellana, Pastaza, Morona Santiago
• Localized Sierra areas -- Azuay, Canar, Chimborazo

The pattern is expected to persist through Saturday and Sunday with little improvement before Monday.

Risks

The primary dangers during sustained heavy rainfall in Ecuador are:

• River flooding -- Streams and rivers can rise rapidly, especially in canyon areas and valley bottoms
• Landslides -- Mountain roads are particularly vulnerable, especially routes between the Sierra and the coast
• Urban flooding -- Low-lying neighborhoods in all major cities can experience street flooding
• Road closures -- Expect possible closures on the Cuenca-Guayaquil, Ambato-Banos, and other mountain highways

What Expats Should Do

If You're Traveling

• Check road conditions before departing, especially mountain routes
• Avoid traveling at night during heavy rain -- visibility drops and landslide debris is harder to spot
• Have a backup plan if your route is closed
• The Cuenca-Guayaquil highway via Cajas and the Molleturo descent is particularly susceptible to landslides

If You're Staying Put

• Avoid rivers, streams, and quebradas during and after heavy rain
• Don't attempt to cross flooded streets by car or on foot -- water depth is impossible to judge
• Keep flashlights and charged power banks ready in case of outages
• Stock basic supplies -- heavy rain can disrupt deliveries to supermarkets in smaller towns

Emergency Contacts

• ECU 911 -- National emergency coordination
• INAMHI -- Follow @inamhi_ec on social media for real-time updates
• Bomberos -- Fire and rescue response

Rainy Season Context

Ecuador's rainy season in the Sierra runs roughly from February through May, with the heaviest precipitation typically in March and April. The current pattern is driven by the active Madden-Julian Oscillation phase combined with moisture flowing from the Amazon basin.

This is normal seasonal weather, but the intensity of individual events can still catch people off guard -- especially those new to Ecuador's climate patterns.

Source: El Universo, INAMHI