Winter Systems to Affect Most of Mexico
Mexico is set to experience a series of winter impacts over the coming days, with varying rain intensities, snow or sleet in high altitude areas, severe frosts, and strong winds that increase the risk of infrastructure and mobility issues.
Front 30 to Bring Cold Air and Strong Winds
The National Weather Service (SMN) has forecasted that Cold Front 30 will move from the northeast and slowly traverse across the northwest, east, and southeast regions, including the Yucatan Peninsula, from Saturday to Tuesday.
This system will be driven by an Arctic air mass, favoring a prolonged and intense North event along with high waves on the Gulf and southeast coasts. The advisory covers the coastal areas of Tamaulipas, Veracruz, Oaxaca’s gulf coast (Tehuantepec), Tabasco, Campeche, Yucatan, and northern Quintana Roo.
Polar Vortex and Atmospheric River to Spark Third Winter Storm
Simultaneously, the interaction of a polar vortex with an atmospheric river and polar/subtropical jet stream will generate the third winter storm of the season over Mexico’s northwest, featuring rain and snow in northern and highland states.
Expected Temperatures, Precipitation, and Wind
Saturday, January 22:
- -10°C to -5°C minimum temperatures in Durango’s mountainous regions.
- -5°C to 0°C with frost in high altitude areas of Baja California, Sonora, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo León, San Luis Potosí, Zacatecas, Hidalgo, Estado de México, Tlaxcala, Puebla, Veracruz, and Oaxaca.
- 0°C to 5°C in mountainous areas of Aguascalientes, Guanajuato, Querétaro, and the Valley of Mexico.
Heavy rainfall is expected in Baja California Sur, Sonora, Chihuahua, Sinaloa, and Durango (50-75 mm), as well as strong rains in Baja California and Coahuila (25-50 mm), and showers in Nuevo León and Tamaulipas.
Snow or sleet is also forecasted in Coahuila and Nuevo León mountainous regions, along with snow or sleet in the Sierras of Baja California, Sonora, Chihuahua, and Durango.
Strong Winds:
- Wind gusts of 70-90 km/h are expected in Coahuila, Durango, and Zacatecas.
- A North event with wind gusts of 70-90 km/h is anticipated in Tamaulipas.
Sunday, January 23:
- -20°C to -15°C minimum temperatures in Chihuahua’s mountainous regions.
- -15°C to -10°C in high altitude areas of Durango and Coahuila.
- Snow or sleet is expected in the Sierras of Coahuila, Sonora, Chihuahua, and Nuevo León, along with snow on the Colima volcano.
- Freezing rain is forecasted in Nuevo León, Tamaulipas, Coahuila, and San Luis Potosí.
The North event on Sunday is expected to be intense, with wind gusts of 70-90 km/h in Tamaulipas and Veracruz, as well as waves of 3-4 meters high along their coasts.
Uncertainty and Continued Monitoring
Authorities warn that the cold temperatures may persist until Monday, January 26, with uncertainty in the forecast and a recommendation to stay updated on future reports.
Key Questions and Answers
- Q: What is causing these winter impacts in Mexico? A: A combination of winter systems, including Cold Front 30 and a polar vortex interaction, is bringing cold air, heavy rain, snow, and strong winds.
- Q: Which regions will be most affected by the cold front? A: The cold front will impact northern, northeastern, eastern, and southeastern regions of Mexico, including the Yucatan Peninsula.
- Q: What types of precipitation are expected? A: Heavy rainfall, snow, sleet, and freezing rain are all expected in various regions.
- Q: How strong will the winds be? A: Wind gusts of 70-90 km/h are expected in several states, with a particularly intense North event on Sunday affecting Tamaulipas and Veracruz.
- Q: How long will the cold temperatures last? A: Authorities are uncertain about the duration of the cold spell, with possibilities extending until at least Monday, January 26.
