The Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology and Environmental Studies issued an orange alert for intense heat in the Archipelago of San Andrés, Providencia and Santa Catalina. Temperatures have exceeded historical records from the late 1990s.
The Ideam reported that on May 5 a maximum temperature of 33.4 °C was recorded at the Sesquicentenario Airport station, exceeding the previous record of 33.0 °C from 1998. The next day the thermometer reached 33.2 °C. In sectors such as Elsy Bar, community thermometers marked up to 38 °C.
In Providencia and Santa Catalina, local monitors reported between 34 °C and 36.5 °C. The entity maintains the orange alert for heat index and risk of fires in vegetation. Atmospheric and oceanic factors favor a warmer than usual environment in the Colombian Caribbean.
The agency warned of health risks, especially for children, older adults and people with chronic diseases. It also alerted about possible impacts on fishing, crops and ecosystems. Forecasts indicate that temperature anomalies between +0.5 °C and +1.5 °C could persist during May.
