Dry Season

Honduras's dry season (canícula) will lose force in coming weeks as Pacific humidity increases, with rainfall gradually returning first to the south and central regions by mid-September, according to the National Atmospheric, Oceanographic and Seismic Center.

A tropical wave entering Honduras on Monday is expected to produce light, scattered rainfall across the country, with forecasters noting the possibility of heavier accumulations than recent systems; the dry season (canícula) is forecast to extend into early September across much of the country.

Cenaos says a tropical wave and Pacific moisture will bring scattered light showers to southern and southwestern Honduras on Tuesday, July 28, while the north, center, and departments of Olancho and Colón may see brief showers by late afternoon, as the dry season's canícula keeps all rainfall weak and intermittent.

A tropical wave moving into Honduras on Wednesday will bring rain across most of the country, including the capital, temporarily breaking the dry spell in central, southern, and eastern regions amid a seasonal dry period expected to last through early September.

Tegucigalpa recorded 316.2 mm of rainfall through July 22, falling 18.4% below the historical average of 387.7 mm, as above-normal July rains have yet to offset shortfalls from a dry May and June.

Facing prolonged drought that is shrinking reservoir levels, Tegucigalpa's mayor Juan Diego Zelaya announced that water-rationing cycles will widen from every 7 days to every 9 days starting next week, aiming to stretch supplies until September rains begin.

COPECO warned that Honduras's prolonged dry season will continue despite recent rains, which authorities say offer only temporary relief.

Honduras's emergency agency COPECO keeps a green alert in place across municipalities in the Dry Corridor due to insufficient rainfall, warning that 144 other municipalities could be added if drought conditions persist.

Tegucigalpa's mayor warned the capital could hit a critical water shortage by late August, with reservoirs Los Laureles at 40.5% and Concepción at 37%, while the San José dam — 48% complete — is not expected online until early 2028.

Honduras recorded 1,007 forest fires during the extended dry season, scorching 93,634 hectares nationwide, with Olancho suffering the worst damage and officials warning of serious risks to water supplies.

UMAPS director Gustavo Boquín warned that if rains don't continue, Tegucigalpa's water supply—already at historic lows with some neighborhoods receiving service only once a week—could face severe shortages between late July and early August when the annual dry spell begins.