Overview of the Weather Forecast by the National Meteorological Service (SMN)
The National Meteorological Service (SMN), part of the National Water Commission (CONAGUA), has issued a weather forecast detailing significant rainfall and cooler temperatures across Mexico due to Cold Front 21. This front is expected to bring intense rainfall, cooler conditions, and a polar air mass from the northeastern Gulf of Mexico to eastern Mexico, along with increased humidity from the Pacific Ocean.
Regional Weather Details
- Veracruz: Punctual intense rainfall is expected in the low Huasteca, Totonaca, Los Tuxtlas, and Olmeca regions.
- Puebla: Very strong rainfall is forecasted in the Sierra Norte, Sierra Nororiental, and Tehuacán-Sierra Negra.
- High Huasteca, Nautla, and Papaloapan (Veracruz): Strong rainfall is expected.
- Oaxaca (north and east), Tabasco (south), and Chiapas (north and east): Strong rainfall is anticipated.
- Huasteca of San Luis Potosí, Sierra Gorda (Querétaro), Hidalgo (Sierra Alta, Huasteca, and Tenango): Fuertes rainfall is expected.
- Veracruz city, mountainous areas, and Sotavento (southern Tamaulipas): Fuertes rainfall is forecasted.
- Yucatán (north) and Quintana Roo (south): Aisladas rainfall is expected.
- Guanajuato, Estado de México, Tlaxcala, and Campeche: Chubascos are predicted.
- Coahuila, Nuevo León, Mexico City, and Morelos: Aisladas rainfall is forecasted.
Wind and Temperature Conditions
The SMN also reports:
- Wind: Northeasterly winds with speeds of 70 to 90 kilometers per hour (km/h) are expected in the Isthmus and Tehuantepec Gulf (Oaxaca and Chiapas); 50 to 70 km/h along the coasts of Tamaulipas and Veracruz; and 30 to 50 km/h along the coasts of Tabasco, Campeche, Yucatán, and Quintana Roo.
- Fog: Fog is expected in the highland areas of northeastern and eastern Mexico.
- Snow: Snow or sleet may fall on the summits of Cofre de Perote, Pico de Orizaba, Popocatépetl, and Iztaccíhuatl volcanoes.
Low Temperatures on Tuesday, December 16
The SMN has also forecasted low temperatures across various regions:
- Chihuahua and Durango (mountainous areas): Minimum temperatures are expected to range from -10°C to -5°C, with possible frost.
- Baja California, Sonora, Zacatecas, Estado de México, Hidalgo, Tlaxcala, Puebla, and Veracruz (mountainous areas): Minimum temperatures will range from -5°C to 0°C, with frost expected.
- Coahuila, Nuevo León, San Luis Potosí, Aguascalientes, Jalisco, Michoacán, Guanajuato, Querétaro, Morelos, Oaxaca, and Mexico City: Temperatures are expected to be between 0°C and 5°C.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is causing the weather changes? Cold Front 21, along with a polar air mass and increased humidity from the Pacific Ocean.
- Which regions will experience intense rainfall? Veracruz (low Huasteca, Totonaca, Los Tuxtlas, Olmeca), Puebla (Sierra Norte, Sierra Nororiental, Tehuacán-Sierra Negra), Oaxaca (north and east), Tabasco (south), Chiapas (north and east), Huasteca of San Luis Potosí, Querétaro, Morelos, Oaxaca, and Veracruz city.
- What wind conditions are expected? Northeasterly winds with speeds ranging from 30 to 90 km/h in various regions.
- Which areas will experience low temperatures? Mountainous regions in Chihuahua, Durango, Baja California, Sonora, Zacatecas, Estado de México, Hidalgo, Tlaxcala, Puebla, and Veracruz; as well as Coahuila, Nuevo León, San Luis Potosí, Aguascalientes, Jalisco, Michoacán, Guanajuato, Querétaro, Morelos, Oaxaca, and Mexico City.
