Colombia has experienced a marked temperature contrast during the first days of September: while several regions have recorded much hotter afternoons than usual, in other parts of the country the early mornings have been colder.
The analysis by the Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology and Environmental Studies (Ideam) on the temperatures recorded during the first days of the month shows notably warmer conditions than usual in different regions of the national territory. In several meteorological stations, maximum temperatures were observed that widely exceeded the historical climatology values for September, corresponding to the period between 1991 and 2020.
Among the most notable records is that of Fredonia, Antioquia, where the maximum temperature reached 41.4 °C. In this same department, Urrao presented an anomaly of 6.75 °C and reached a maximum of 29.2 °C.
The heat was also felt in other parts of the country. Armenia, in Quindío, recorded a maximum temperature of 34.6 °C; Saldaña, in Tolima, reached 41.0 °C; and Valledupar, in Cesar, reached 40.2 °C.
In the Caribbean region, Cartagena recorded a maximum of 38.3 °C, while Riohacha, in La Guajira, reached 39.6 °C.
The increase in temperatures was not concentrated only in traditionally warmer areas. Significant increases were also recorded in cities of the Coffee Axis and the inter-Andean valley, including Pereira, in Risaralda, and San Sebastián de Mariquita, in Tolima.The temperature records that have been registered in September
Between September 1 and 9, 2026 new maximum temperature records were set in different regions of Colombia, with preliminary anomalies ranging from 0.2 °C to 1.8 °C above historical values.
One of the most notable cases was Tunja, which reached 24.2 °C, with a difference of 1.8 °C compared to the historical record. Ocaña reached 32.2 °C, with an anomaly of 1.6 °C.
Temperatures close to 39.8 °C were also recorded in Pailitas, 38.3 °C in Cartagena, and values close to 39 °C in Barrancabermeja.
Fredonia appeared again among the notable records. There, the 41.4 °C reached exceeded the previous maximum temperature record by 1.2 °C.
Additionally, new marks were set in municipalities of Antioquia, Cauca, Valle del Cauca, Huila, and Tolima, among other departments.
Together, these records show an episode of extreme and widespread heat, with special incidence in the Caribbean and Andean regions and in departments such as Antioquia, Tolima, Cesar, Bolívar, La Guajira, and the territories of the Coffee Axis.In other areas the early mornings have been colder
While maximum temperatures have increased in much of the country, the behavior during the early hours of the day has been different in several regions.
Between September 1 and 10, 2026, different areas recorded minimum temperatures below the historical averages for this month, resulting in colder than usual early mornings.
The most significant drops occurred in Yopal, with a minimum temperature of 17.6 °C and an anomaly of -4.8 °C. Temperatures of 2.4 °C were also recorded in Paipa, 3.2 °C in Toca, 3.0 °C in Duitama, and 2.2 °C in both Pupiales and Cerinza.
Ábrego and Neiva also presented anomalies close to -3.3 °C.
Yopal was the only municipality to set a new minimum temperature record, with a difference of -0.4 °C compared to the historical reference value.
The coldest conditions were mainly concentrated in Boyacá, Nariño, and Casanare, especially in high mountain areas. This temperature drop may have effects on sensitive crops, livestock activities, and vulnerable ecosystems.
The behavior recorded during the first days of September has generated a marked thermal contrast: afternoons with high temperatures and considerably colder early mornings in different regions of the national territory.
According to Ideam’s analysis, this behavior is associated with clear sky conditions, low cloudiness, low humidity, and increased solar radiation. During the day, these conditions favor strong surface warming, while at night they contribute to faster cooling.
These temperature extremes can affect different activities and sectors, including agriculture, water resources, health, and ecosystems. Therefore, Ideam recommends maintaining monitoring of meteorological conditions and following its guidelines.
For the following days, an increase in maximum temperatures is expected, especially between September 10 and 12, with greater intensity in the Caribbean region and the inter-Andean valleys.
At the same time, minimum temperatures could drop between September 11 and 13. The early morning of September 12 would be the time of greatest drop, mainly in Nariño, the Bogotá Savannah, northeastern Boyacá, Cauca, and southwestern Tolima.
Thus, the country will continue to experience contrasting thermal behavior, with high maximum temperatures in some regions and colder early mornings in other areas during the coming days.