INTRODUCTION - Climate

General

Ecuador is the smallest Latin American country crossed by the Andean mountain chain. Altitudes here vary between the sea level coast up to the various glaciers that tower over 16000 ft ( 5000 meters ) in altitude.

Because of this diversity, the unique position of the country ( Ecuador is crossed by the equatorial line which means that its latitude is 0 degrees) and the influence of ocean and air currents, Ecuador 's climate varies greatly depending on the region.

Ecuador has climates ranging from permafrost to tropical rainforest, making an interesting chart of altitude against latitude.

Regions

Contrary to the typical four seasons of temperate countries, Ecuador only has two seasons: a wet season and a dry season. Temperature and habitats in the different regions depend directly on altitude and prevailing winds. There are three main regions in continental Ecuador : the coastal region which is directly influenced by the ocean currents, the Amazon jungle or Oriente region, and the area between coast and the Andean mountain chain, the Sierra. The Galapagos Archipelago, 1000 km off the coast of Ecuador , is sometimes considered a fourth region.

The Oriente or Rainforest

The Oriente, east of the Andes , has a daytime temperature average of 33°C ( 91°F ) and an average rainfall of 35cm (14in) per month. The high temperatures and large amount of rain give the area a high level of humidity of about 70%. Temperature in the rainforest doesn't vary much throughout the year, although there is a slight drop of few degrees when it rains.

The rainfall is usually heaviest between June to August and lightest between September to December period it decreases. Whether you come during a wetter or drier month, it is likely to rain at least a little, so don't forget your raingear.

The Coast and Galapagos

The coast and Galapagos Islands have daytime temperatures that vary between 25°C to 31°C ( 75°F to 88°F ) and an average rain fall of 20cm (7.9in) per month during the raining season. Humidity levels during this season average about 60%. From January to April the coast is hit by warm ocean currents coming from the north which are the main cause of the rainfall. It is during this season that the sea water and air temperature are at their highest.

From May to December cold ocean currents from Peru and the south set in, lowering the average temperature of both the air and sea water. During this time it rarely rains the humidity levels drop. The rainy season in the coastal area is characterized by heavy downpours normally immediately followed by clear skies, while the dry season is often just cloudy.

The Sierra or Highland

The Sierra, or highlands, in the main valleys ( 2800 meters above sea level) has an average daytime temperature of 20°C ( 68°F ) and an average rainfall of 12cm (4.7in) a month and there is usually very little humidity the higher in altitude you go. The weather here is pretty constant throughout the year, although from June to September it tends to be drier. The coastal weather normally affects the climate of the eastern areas of the Sierra while the western areas are normally affected by the weather of the Rainforest.

Although there is always a drop in temperature during night time and early morning, even in the coast or the Oriente, in the Sierra it is much more pronounced due to its high altitude. At night the temperature can drop to about 7°C ( 45°F ) depending on the height of the location you are in. Temperature also drops when it is cloudy, but when it is sunny, it can reach over 31°C ( 88°F ).

In the mountains, weather changes tend to be radical and rapid. The weather in the Sierra is no different, so you should be prepared when traveling and always carry with you some warm clothes, especially when you go above 1500/2000m.

El Niño

There are violent disruptions to the weather patterns in the different areas every few years. This phenomenon is known as El Niño and it is caused by the same warm ocean current that comes from the far west and hits the coastal area from January to April approximately each 7 years. There is also a warm current that comes from the north also known as el Niño which causes the rainy season, only, during this time, the current is warmer than normal and tends to stay for a longer period of time It produces high oceanic temperatures and prolonged periods of rain fall.

El Niño is a natural disaster. It kills much marine life and in doing so puts in jeopardy the animals and humans that depend directly on it. Agriculture is also severely disrupted.

El Niño in English means "The Boy Child". It received this name because it normally coincides with late December at Christmas time.

Generally Ecuadorian weather is unpredictable in terms of rain but the temperature is stable within the different regions.

For the daily weather Forecast in Ecuador go to INAMHI (Instituto Nacional de Meteorología e Hidrología) Website

www.inamhi.gov.ec/Sinoptica/sinoptica/pronostico.htm