Overview of the Cold Front
The National Weather Service (NWS) has announced that Cold Front 24 will move across the northwestern part of the country on Saturday, December 27. This front will interact with a polar trough and moisture from an atmospheric river, causing temperature drops, rainfall, and strong winds in various regions.
Heavy Rainfall and Flooding Concerns
The NWS predicts localized heavy rainfall (25 to 50 mm) that could lead to waterlogging, landslides, and increased river and stream levels in the following states:
- Guerrero
- Oaxaca
- Veracruz (Los Tuxtlas and Olmeca regions)
- Chiapas
- Tabasco
- Campeche
- Quintana Roo
Additionally, there will be showers in Baja California, Baja California Sur, Jalisco, Colima, and Michoacán, as well as isolated rainfall in areas like the Federal District, State of Mexico, Puebla, Tamaulipas, San Luis Potosí, and Yucatán.
Snow or Sleet from North to Central Mexico
During the morning, snow is expected in mountainous regions of:
- Baja California
- Sonora
- Chihuahua
- Durango
And in the central highlands of Mexico, including:
- Pico de Orizaba
- Cofre de Perote
- Popocatépetl
- Iztaccíhuatl
- Nevado de Toluca
Strong Winds and Elevated Swells
Wind gusts of 40 to 60 km/h are expected in:
- Isthmus and Gulf of Tehuantepec (Oaxaca and Chiapas)
- Gulf of California, Baja California, Baja California Sur, Sonora, Sinaloa, and Chihuahua
- Coahuila, Nuevo León, and Tamaulipas
The swell will reach 2.5 to 3.5 meters along the western coast of Baja California.
Frigid Conditions and Freezing Temperatures
The lowest minimum temperatures will occur in the mountainous regions of the north:
- -10°C to -5°C: Baja California, Chihuahua, and Durango
- -5°C to 0°C: Sonora, Zacatecas, Nuevo León, State of Mexico, Tlaxcala, and Puebla
In Mexico City, the minimum temperature is expected to be 7°C to 9°C, with a maximum of 20°C to 22°C. The southern and southeastern regions will experience warm days but remain under weather watch due to the risk of heavy rainfall.
Regional Weather Outlook
- Baja California and Northwest / Showers, cold temperatures, fog, and elevated swells
- Central Mexico / Isolated showers and potential snow at peaks
- Gulf of Mexico / Heavy rainfall in Veracruz and Tabasco
- Yucatan Peninsula / Heavy rainfall in Campeche and Quintana Roo
- Northern Plateau / Frigid conditions and possible snow in mountain ranges
The NWS is also monitoring the arrival of another cold front on Monday, December 29, which will intensify the winter event with heavy rainfall and strong northerly winds in Tamaulipas and Veracruz.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is Cold Front 24? Cold Front 24 is a weather system moving across northwestern Mexico on December 27, causing temperature drops, rainfall, and strong winds.
- Which regions will experience heavy rainfall? Guerrero, Oaxaca, Veracruz (Los Tuxtlas and Olmeca regions), Chiapas, Tabasco, Campeche, Quintana Roo, Baja California, Baja California Sur, Jalisco, Colima, and Michoacán will see heavy rainfall.
- Where is snow expected? Snow is forecast in the mountainous regions of Baja California, Sonora, Chihuahua, Durango, and central Mexico’s highlands.
- What are the wind and swell conditions? Wind gusts of 40 to 60 km/h are expected in several regions, and swells will reach 2.5 to 3.5 meters along the western coast of Baja California.
- What are the temperature conditions? The lowest minimum temperatures will occur in northern mountainous regions, with -10°C to -5°C in Baja California, Chihuahua, and Durango, and -5°C to 0°C in Sonora, Zacatecas, Nuevo León, State of Mexico, Tlaxcala, and Puebla.
- What is the weather outlook for each region? Baja California and northwest will experience showers, cold temperatures, fog, and elevated swells. Central Mexico will have isolated showers and potential snow at peaks. The Gulf of Mexico region will see heavy rainfall in Veracruz and Tabasco. The Yucatan Peninsula will experience heavy rainfall in Campeche and Quintana Roo. The Northern Plateau will have frigid conditions and possible snow in mountain ranges.
