For example, although Medellín has been termed "The City of Eternal Spring," when I first arrived in August, I thought it should instead be called "The City of Eternal Summer." The days felt very hot, reaching at least 80 degrees Fahrenheit at the peek in mid-afternoon, and even at night, I felt no need for blankets on my bed because the air was still so warm. Locals have told me that Medellín has become warmer in recent years, feeling more like summer than spring during certain times of year. The pollution from city traffic does not help either, since it increases the congestion in the city and worsens the city's air quality. What's more, even though the average temperature has begun to lower since the beginning of October, and we also see much more rain on a daily basis, my Colombian roommate told me that October is one of the worst months for air congestion because the increased overcast weather means clouds keep fumes from dissipating further into the atmosphere.
Medellín's local government has taken some important steps to help decrease the negative effects of increased commuter traffic in the city, especially now that many more locals own their own cars or motorcycles. For instance, the Medellín government enforces a strict traffic ordinance called Pico y Placa during the months of October and March which regulates ordinary citizens' ability to use a personal car or motorcycle on certain days of the week. This helps lessen the overall daily pollution caused by commuters in the city.
