Overview of the Situation
According to Mexico’s National Water Commission (CONAGUA), an arctic air mass generated by Cold Front 13 will continue to cover most of Mexico, bringing extremely cold and very frigid conditions across the northern, eastern, central, and southeastern regions of the country.
Temperature Forecast
The Servicio Meteorológico Nacional (SMN) has detailed the following minimum temperature forecasts:
- -15°C to -10°C with frost in the mountains of Chihuahua and Durango
- -10°C to -5°C with frost in the sierras of Baja California, Nuevo León, and Zacatecas
- -5°C to 0°C with frost in the mountainous areas of Sonora, Coahuila, San Luis Potosí, Hidalgo, Estado de México, Tlaxcala, Puebla, and Veracruz
- 0°C to 5°C in the mountainous regions of Tamaulipas, Aguascalientes, Jalisco, Michoacán, Guanajuato, Querétaro, the Federal District (Ciudad de México), and Oaxaca
Rainfall Forecast
CONAGUA predicts that Cold Front 13 will traverse the Yucatan Peninsula, causing heavy rainfall in parts of Veracruz and Oaxaca. Intense precipitation is also expected in some areas of Puebla, Veracruz, Chiapas, and Tabasco.
Furthermore, strong rains are anticipated in other parts of Veracruz and Hidalgo.
Wind Speeds
The SMN anticipates strong north winds, with speeds of 60 to 70 kilometers per hour (km/h), and gusts reaching 90 to 110 km/h along the coasts of Tamaulipas, Veracruz, Oaxaca, and Chiapas. In the coastal regions of Tabasco, Campeche, Yucatán, and Quintana Roo, wind speeds are expected to range from 30 to 40 km/h with gusts of 50 to 70 km/h.
Safety Advisory
Heavy rainfall may lead to landslides, increased river and stream levels, and potential overflows and flooding in low-lying areas of the mentioned states. Strong winds could also cause trees and outdoor advertisements to fall.
CONAGUA urges the public to heed the warnings from the SMN and follow recommendations from local civil protection authorities.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is causing the cold conditions across Mexico? An arctic air mass generated by Cold Front 13 is responsible for the extremely cold and frigid conditions.
- Which regions will experience heavy rainfall? Veracruz, Oaxaca, parts of Puebla, Veracruz, Chiapas, and Tabasco are expected to see heavy rainfall.
- What wind speeds and gusts are forecasted? Strong north winds with speeds of 60 to 70 km/h and gusts up to 110 km/h are expected along certain coastal regions. In other areas, wind speeds will range from 30 to 40 km/h with gusts of up to 70 km/h.
- What safety precautions should the public take? CONAGUA advises following SMN warnings and civil protection recommendations to stay safe from potential landslides, flooding, and falling trees or advertisements due to strong winds.
