Record-Breaking Temperatures Across Mexico
As of yesterday, the National Weather Service maintained its forecast for maximum temperatures today: 40 to 45°C in Baja California, Sonora, Chihuahua, and Sinaloa; 35 to 40°C in Baja California Sur, Coahuila, Nuevo León, Tamaulipas, Nayarit, Michoacán, Guerrero, Oaxaca, Chiapas, Veracruz, Tabasco, Campeche, and Yucatán; and 30 to 35°C in Jalisco, Colima, and Quintana Roo. This week, more than half of the country experienced extreme or severe heat.
Mexico Warms Faster Than Global Average
A study by the UNAM Climate Change Research Program coordinator, Francisco Estrada, indicates that Mexico’s temperature has risen by 3.2°C in a century, more than the global average of 2°C.
June’s Scorching Temperatures
In late June, temperatures soared in Hermosillo, Mexicali, and Chihuahuas, reaching over 45°C on June 8, 14, and 15. Meanwhile, Veracruz, Sonora, Chiapas, Tamaulipas, and Tabasco experienced extreme heat while the south received rain from tropical depression “Dos.” The Mexico City area saw temperatures between 27 and 29°C during the first half of June, cooling down to 24°C as rains began.
Health and Economic Impacts
Public health suffered as the Secretaría de Salud confirmed 935 cases related to extreme temperatures in epidemiological week 25 (late June): 547 heatstroke cases, 360 dehydration cases, 28 burn cases, and 28 deaths, primarily in Veracruz, Sonora, Chiapas, Tamaulipas, and Tabasco. The numbers continue to rise.
The economic impact has been more devastating. Prolonged heat affects all productive chains. High temperatures and drought are estimated to have reduced the yield of essential crops like corn, sugarcane, wheat, and coffee by 25-30%, resulting in losses of between 20 to 40 billion pesos in the north and south alone.
- Agriculture: Crop yields have been significantly impacted, with substantial financial losses for farmers.
- Industry: Sectors such as construction, mining, and manufacturing experienced productivity drops of 10-15% due to heat-related technical halts, leading to increased operational costs for CFE and forcing emergency gas purchases for power generation.
- Tourism: Popular destinations like Veracruz, Villahermosa, Acapulco, and Mérida saw hotel occupancy drop by 10-15%, flight cancellations, and intermittent service closures. Some states experienced a loss of up to 1 billion pesos in tourism income during the month.
Lack of Coordinated Response and Investment in Resilience
The official response has been limited to recommendations for avoiding the sun, generic weather alerts, and setting up some hydration centers. There is no coordinated climate adaptation plan, structural investment in urban resilience, or reforms to protect exposed workers and fiscal policies to fund appropriate solutions.
The estimated cost of June’s heatwave on the country ranges from 60 to 90 billion pesos, considering its combined impact on health, agroindustry, tourism, energy, and productivity.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the main issue discussed in this article? The extreme heatwave experienced in Mexico during June, its impacts on public health and the economy, and the lack of a coordinated response from authorities.
- Who is Francisco Estrada and why is his study relevant? Francisco Estrada is the coordinator of the Climate Change Research Program at UNAM. His study indicates that Mexico’s temperature has risen 3.2°C in a century, surpassing the global average of 2°C.
- What sectors have been affected by the prolonged heat? The agriculture, industry, and tourism sectors have all been impacted by the prolonged heatwave.
- What is the estimated financial loss due to the June heatwave? The estimated cost of the June heatwave on the country ranges from 60 to 90 billion pesos, considering its combined impact on health, agroindustry, tourism, energy, and productivity.
