INAMHI Issues Heavy Rain Warning Through Thursday — Cuenca's Wettest Stretch So Far This Year

Rain, Rain, and More Rain

INAMHI (Ecuador's National Meteorology and Hydrology Institute) has issued a rainfall warning for Azuay province — including Cuenca — through Thursday, March 13.

The alert calls for variable-intensity rainfall with the heaviest periods expected today (March 11) and tomorrow (March 12). AccuWeather is showing 100% chance of precipitation every day this week.

If you were planning outdoor activities, postpone them. If you weren't, bring an umbrella anyway.

What the Forecast Looks Like

• Wednesday, March 11: Moderate to heavy rain throughout the day
• Thursday, March 12: Continued rain, strongest in the afternoon
• Friday, March 13: Rain likely but tapering off
• Temperatures: Lows around 12°C (54°F), highs around 19°C (66°F) — cooler than usual

March is statistically Cuenca's wettest month, averaging 17–28 rain days and 105–157mm of precipitation. This week is tracking above average.

Practical Tips for Surviving Cuenca's Rain Season

Getting around:

• Carry an umbrella everywhere. Not a small travel one — a real umbrella. You'll use it daily
• Watch your step on wet cobblestones in El Centro. They get dangerously slippery
• Avoid driving through standing water — you don't know how deep it is, and Cuenca's drainage can't always keep up
• Allow extra time for everything. Traffic slows down, taxis take longer to find, and buses run behind schedule

Around the house:

• Check your windows and roof for leaks now, before the worst of the rain hits
• Keep a flashlight and power bank charged — heavy rain occasionally causes brief power outages
• If you live on a hillside or near a quebrada (ravine), be aware of landslide risk during prolonged heavy rain

Health:

• Mosquitoes spike after rain. Use repellent, especially in the evenings
• Humidity can trigger mold in poorly ventilated apartments. Run a dehumidifier or open windows during dry breaks

Areas to Watch

Flooding is most common in:

• Low-lying areas near the Tomebamba and Yanuncay rivers — water levels rise quickly during heavy rain
• El Valle and Ricaurte — newer developments with less established drainage
• Downtown streets near the markets — Feria Libre area can flood during downpours

If you see the rivers looking swollen and brown, stay well back from the banks. Cuenca's rivers can rise several feet in a matter of hours during sustained rain.

The Silver Lining

Cuenca's rain is rarely all-day-every-minute. The typical pattern is mornings that start dry, clouds building by late morning, and rain arriving in the afternoon and evening. Plan your errands and walks for the morning window.

And honestly? Rainy-season Cuenca has its charm — the mountains draped in clouds, the sound of rain on tile roofs, and the excuse to spend an afternoon in a café with a coffee and a book. Lean into it.

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Sources: INAMHI, AccuWeather