Northern Peru finds no respite! First, temperatures in Tumbes climbed to 37.4 degrees Celsius. Now, authorities are warning of heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and potential landslides. Piura, Tumbes, Lambayeque, Cajamarca, and La Libertad are of particular concern.
37.4 degrees! Tumbes breaks the next heat record
What heat! On September 24, 2026, the thermometer at the El Salto weather station in Tumbes showed a staggering 37.4 degrees Celsius. This significantly surpassed the previous September record of 35.1 degrees from 2023. Particularly noteworthy: the temperature on that day was 10.4 degrees above the climatological average.
But Tumbes was not the only area affected. Unusually high temperatures were also measured in other parts of Northern Peru. In Chusis, in the Piura region, the thermometer reached 34.4 degrees Celsius on September 24. In Lambayeque, the Jayanca/La Viña weather station reported 35.8 degrees Celsius as early as September 3, setting a new September record.
Measurements from the Peruvian weather service Senamhi show that Northern Peru experienced an extraordinary heatwave in September.
Hardly any cooling even at night! The heat shows no signs of letting up
Anyone who believes temperatures dropped significantly at night would be wrong. On September 8, the La Esperanza weather station in Piura recorded a minimum temperature of 24.7 degrees Celsius. Even during the coolest hours, it remained unusually warm.
Such temperatures can be particularly stressful for the elderly, children, and people with health issues. When homes hardly cool down at night, physical strain increases further. While people in the north were still dealing with the unusually high temperatures, the next weather hazard was already being announced at the beginning of October.
The weather is turning! Five regions in the crosshairs
First the record heat, then the rain alert! On October 7, 2026, the Peruvian civil defense agency INDECI issued a warning based on weather report no. 403 from Senamhi. Heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and strong wind gusts were announced for the period from October 9 to 11.
Affected areas included parts of the Piura, Tumbes, Lambayeque, Cajamarca, and La Libertad regions. On the coast of Tumbes, meteorologists expected rainfall of approximately 10 millimeters per day, and about 9 millimeters in Piura. In the northern Andean highlands, between 5 and 30 millimeters daily were forecast, depending on the area.
In addition, there was a risk of wind gusts at speeds of around 40 kilometers per hour. In altitudes above 2,800 meters, there was also a risk of hail in some areas. The warning situation was therefore not limited to the coast. Numerous municipalities in the highlands also had to remain vigilant.
Danger from the mountains! Landslides and mudslides possible
Heavy rain can be particularly dangerous in the mountainous regions of Northern Peru. When large amounts of water collect on steep slopes within a short time, landslides can occur. Even more dangerous are so-called huaicos—sudden mud and debris flows that can bury roads, disrupt transport links, and damage buildings.
INDECI therefore urged the responsible authorities to check evacuation routes and prepare emergency personnel for potential emergencies. Fire departments, police, and health facilities were also asked to ensure their operational readiness. A risk assessment for October 12 and 13 was additionally published by CENEPRED.
However, a weather warning does not mean that landslides will actually occur everywhere. It indicates where there may be increased risks due to the expected precipitation.
Piura, Tumbes, and Cajamarca: What does this mean for vacationers?
Those currently traveling through Northern Peru should take the warnings seriously. Heavy rain can be a problem, especially when driving into the highlands. On mountain roads, there is a risk of falling rocks, mud, and temporary traffic obstructions. Heavy rainfall can also be dangerous along rivers and in lower-lying areas.
Travelers should therefore check current weather warnings and information on road conditions before long journeys. Flooded roads should never be crossed. However, this does not mean that all destinations in Northern Peru are equally at risk. There can be significant weather differences between the beaches of Tumbes, the coastal towns, and the mountain regions of Cajamarca.
Is El Niño coming? What the weather extremes really mean
Record heat on the coast, rain warnings in the north—this quickly raises the question: Is a new El Niño event on the horizon?
This cannot be inferred from these individual weather events. While unusually high temperatures and changed precipitation patterns can be linked to larger climatic developments, experts must examine further data for a reliable assessment. This includes Pacific Ocean temperatures, atmospheric changes, and long-term precipitation patterns.
The current reports initially document two different developments: extraordinary temperatures were measured in September, and in October, authorities warned of increased rainfall risks. A confirmed new El Niño event does not arise from this alone.
Northern Peru under weather stress! Future developments will decide
37.4 degrees in Tumbes, new records in Lambayeque, and rain warnings for five regions: The past few weeks show how drastically weather conditions in northern Peru can change within a short period.
While the extraordinary September temperatures have already been confirmed by measurements, the actual extent of the announced October rains must be evaluated based on new weather reports. For the population, it remains crucial to react to official warnings early. Travelers should also consider current information from authorities before excursions and long journeys.
Senamhi, Temperature monitoring September 2026, published via Agencia Andina and Infobae on October 7, 2026.
INDECI, October 7, 2026: Warning no. 403 regarding rainfall in Northern Peru.
CENEPRED, Risk scenario for warning no. 409 for October 12 and 13, 2026.
Hero image: Andrés Castillo, “Rio Tumbes”, taken February 27, 2009, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0. Archive image, not an image of the weather event.
