We are going through the transition from rainy to dry season here on the Pacific side of Panama. The Caribbean side, just a few hours away, has an entirely different weather pattern. It rains whenever it wants to and there aren’t the distinct seasons we have here.
But, here on the Pacific side we have fairly predictable weather patterns. People worry about the rainy season (April – December) thinking we might be soaking wet all the time, but that isn’t the case at all. Mornings are beautiful, clear and sunny. That is when you hang out laundry, do errands, and anything else that is better when it’s sunny. In the afternoon the clouds will start to gather. Maybe it will rain in the middle of the afternoon, or maybe closer to dark. Maybe it will pour like crazy for a little while followed by a gentle rain, or maybe it will just rain a little bit. It should be finished no later than bedtime though and you can enjoy the cooler, fresher air when you sleep.
The dry season (December – April) is, well, dry! Rain is unusual. Plants and grass get increasingly brown and crispy and brush fires are common. The trade winds blow and some days can get very windy. This is Panamanian summer. School is out for summer vacation until mid February and people tend to do more outdoor things like home maintenance, swimming trips to the rivers, and family vacations.
At the moment though, we are somewhat confused. Sunday was clear and felt more like summer and yesterday was clear, windy, and very much like summer. Today though, mid afternoon, the clouds gathered and it started to rain. I was foolish enough to think I could do some gardening which is almost guaranteed to bring rain. 😀 But, as soon as I sat down at my computer it stopped and now the sun is coming out again. Shall I pick up my gardening tools again and see if the rain comes back?
I certainly won’t complain though. In a few weeks we will be praying for rain!
The Panama Adventure 
Our dry season usually starts the end of Nov. but this is a very unusual December. We have had so much rain. I am not complaining, though. I love the rain and it cools things down.
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I think it has been an odd year everywhere in the area. They are saying here too we can expect rain until the end of the month. I like the rain too, so that’s fine with me.
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We live in Alto Boquete on the Caldera Canyon and now we know who to blame for the rain….Kris was gardening again!
Still love your blog….we counted on it for the move here 2 years ago and we are still enjoying. Thanx
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What a beautiful area!
I am planning more gardening today too, so you have been warned 😀
Thanks so much, glad you enjoy the blog.
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Hola Kris,
I give up on figuring out the weather, it is crazy. A few days ago up here there was a 136 temperature difference from Montana to McAllen, Tx. We were both outside all day yesterday bundled up in coats/sweaters; Nena was mowing grass and raking leaves, I was still working on finishing the treehouse for the grands. Today we expected to hit 70 degrees (21 grados) at 4PM.
Uniform of the day? Overcoats and shower shoes?
Still, as long as the sun is shining, we will be outdoors. Half the trees still have their leaves, and the plants on our enclosed back porch are still thriving so Nena has lots of gardening to do. My job is to keep the birds’ water bowls clear of ice and filled with water and replenish the sunflower seed feeders. And, of course, keep working on the treehouse! Ha
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Are you in McAllen? My husband painted a water tower there, had a fall, and spent a month in one of your hospitals. We think if we had to go back to the USA for some reason we would probably go to that area. It looks affordable, not too cold, and closer to the Latin culture that we love.
You have to keep ice out of the birds water? Hmmm, not quite warm enough though. Brrrr. I’m glad you are expecting a pleasant day today.
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Stay off those water towers, too dangerous (says the guy that worked through high school putting up radio towers 70 feet in the air!).
No, we are in far north Fort Worth! haha Still, it is amazing how different the weather just in Texas can be. My brother has taken his church’s youth group to McAllen for several Christmases to feed the needy across the border and bring presents. McAllen is a great quiet little town.
Our nighttime temps have dropped into the teens a couple of nights so first thing in the morning I have to dump the ice and fill the water bowls. We have 3 dozen or so doves that depend on us, plus bluejays, cardinals, buntings, mockingbirds, house finches, etc. Then there are the squirrels. We don’t actually qualify as empty nesters yet.
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He quit the water tower business not long after his accident, but he learned a lot of skills that he put to use and also taught me.
Fort Worth? My sister is next door in Dallas. I was in Fort Worth for an event in 1973 which included an opening gala at the airport, and the concord was parked on the tarmac. That was very cool. Texas is huge though, so no surprise the weather can vary in different parts.
I filled our birdbath today too, but because summer is coming and there won’t be much water. I enjoy the birds and iguanas who visit. It sounds like you need a bird sitter if you travel 😀
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I do know of an excellent house sitter! But then we would miss you when we got down there!? Haha
Yep, Texas is large enough to be its own country; I believe that except for volcanoes and earthquakes, we have everything that Panama has except for a shortage of Panamanians. That’s why I brought my own!
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You brought your own Panamanian 😀 Good idea!
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