Panama braces for heavy rains and thunderstorms Wednesday

Panama is bracing for a day of significant weather disruption as the Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology (Imhpa) issued warnings for heavy downpours and thunderstorms. The forecast indicates these conditions will primarily impact the Eastern and Western Pacific regions on Wednesday, May 27.

Residents can expect isolated showers of varying intensity throughout the morning, especially in coastal areas and parts of Guna Yala and Colón, potentially accompanied by wind gusts. The afternoon outlook suggests scattered light to heavy rains from Colón to Bocas del Toro along the Caribbean coast. However, more severe weather is predicted for the Pacific side, with strong to very strong downpours and electrical activity likely over Chiriquí, the Ngäbe Buglé region, the Metropolitan area, and Darién.

Adding to the concerns, authorities have alerted the public to the possibility of localized landslides in eastern Panama due to soil saturation from recent rainfall. While temperatures are expected to range between 31°C and 35°C in most areas, cooler conditions up to 25°C are possible in the Central Mountain Range. Sea conditions also require vigilance, with waves predicted between 1.2 and 2.2 meters on the Caribbean coast, and 0.3 to 1 meter on the Pacific coast.