Hailstorms, Lightning, and Dense Fog Hit Quito — INAMHI Warns of Heavier Rainfall Through March

Quito’s wet season just shifted into a higher gear.

Wednesday: Hail and Lightning

On Wednesday afternoon, February 18, Quito experienced heavy rainfall accompanied by hailstorms and electrical storms that struck multiple sectors of the capital.

Authorities reported no flooding emergencies in the city — a relief given Quito’s history of devastating flash floods during the rainy season. However, the hail caused localized traffic disruptions and prompted warnings about driving conditions on the city’s steep streets.

Thursday: Dense Fog

Quiteños woke on Thursday, February 19 to find the capital blanketed in dense fog, reducing visibility significantly across the city. The fog was particularly thick in the northern valleys and along the major highways connecting Quito to Tumbaco, Cumbayá, and Los Chillos.

The fog is a byproduct of the same weather pattern driving the storms: moisture-laden air from the Pacific and Amazon converging over the Andes at Quito’s elevation of 2,850 meters.

March Forecast

INAMHI (Instituto Nacional de Meteorología e Hidrología — Ecuador’s national weather agency) has issued an extended forecast warning of increased precipitation through March, particularly:

• On the coast: Heavier-than-normal rainfall expected in March, with potential flooding in low-lying areas of Manabí, Guayas, and Esmeraldas
• In the Sierra: Continued storms in Quito, Ambato, Riobamba, and Cuenca, with elevated mudslide risk on steep hillsides
• In the Amazon: Sustained heavy rains increasing river levels in the Oriente

Why Quito Is Vulnerable

Quito sits in a narrow Andean valley surrounded by steep hillsides — many of which are covered by informal settlements built on unstable terrain. The city’s topography means that heavy rainfall quickly concentrates into flash floods in the narrow ravines (quebradas) that crisscross the urban area.

The most devastating recent example was the La Gasca flash flood of January 31, 2022, which killed 28 people when a mudslide cascaded through a residential neighborhood.

What This Means for Expats

• Driving in Quito during wet season requires extra caution. Hail and fog can make the city’s steep, winding roads treacherous. The highways to Tumbaco and Cumbayá are particularly affected by fog
• Know your flood zones. If you live near a quebrada (ravine) or on a hillside in Quito, review your evacuation route. The ECU 911 system monitors flood-prone areas and issues alerts
• Power outages are possible. Electrical storms can knock out power in parts of the city. Keep devices charged and have flashlights accessible
• March travel planning. If you’re planning to drive to the coast in March, expect heavier rainfall and potential road closures — particularly on the Aloag-Santo Domingo and Calacalí-La Independencia highways
• Emergency contacts: ECU 911 (all emergencies), INAMHI weather updates at www.inamhi.gob.ec

Sources: El Universo, INAMHI