Key Weather Features for the Last Sunday Before Christmas
The Mexican National Weather Service (SMN) has issued a weather advisory for the upcoming Sunday, December 21, highlighting significant temperature drops and strong winds across various regions in Mexico.
Rainfall in the Southeast and Strong Winds in the Isthmus of Tehuantepec
The SMN forecasts a mix of weather conditions for the last Sunday before Christmas. Rainfall is expected in the southeastern parts of Mexico due to moisture from the Pacific Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Caribbean Sea. This will bring scattered to localized heavy rainfall in Veracruz, Oaxaca, Chiapas, and Quintana Roo. Meanwhile, Tabasco, Campeche, and Yucatán may experience intervals of showers.
- Heavy rainfall (25-50 mm) is anticipated in Veracruz, Oaxaca, Chiapas, and Quintana Roo.
- Tabasco, Campeche, and Yucatán may see scattered showers.
- Guerrero, Hidalgo, Puebla, and Tlaxcala are expected to have isolated rainfall.
Strong Winds in the Isthmus and Golfo de Tehuantepec
Alongside the rainfall, a “North” wind event is expected with gusts reaching 60 to 70 km/h in the Isthmus and Golfo de Tehuantepec, primarily affecting Oaxaca and Chiapas. These conditions are expected to decrease by Sunday afternoon. Moderate wind gusts are also forecast for Tamaulipas and northern states like Chihuahua and Coahuila.
Temperature Contrasts Across Mexico
During the day, a notable temperature contrast will be observed. Warm conditions will persist along Mexico’s Pacific coast, with maximum temperatures ranging from 35 to 40°C in Sonora, Sinaloa, Nayarit, Jalisco, Colima, Michoacán, Guerrero, Oaxaca, and Chiapas. Meanwhile, in Baja California Sur, Nuevo León, Tamaulipas, Campeche, Yucatán, and Quintana Roo, maximum temperatures will hover between 30 and 35°C.
Extreme Cold in Mountainous Regions
However, as night falls on Sunday, freezing temperatures will intensify in higher elevations. The SMN warns of frost with minimum temperatures dropping to as low as -10°C in the Sierras of Chihuahua and Durango, as well as sub-zero temperatures in mountainous areas of Baja California, Sonora, Estado de México, Tlaxcala, and Puebla. Other mountainous regions in central and eastern Mexico will experience minimum temperatures between 0 and 5°C.
Recommendations from Authorities
Given these weather conditions, authorities urge the public to exercise caution, particularly in regions where heavy rainfall and strong winds are expected. This includes potential risks of water accumulation, flooding in low-lying areas, and falling trees or advertisements.
Key Questions and Answers
- What weather conditions are expected on December 21? Significant temperature drops, strong winds, and rainfall are anticipated across various regions in Mexico.
- Which areas will experience rainfall? Veracruz, Oaxaca, Chiapas, Quintana Roo, Tabasco, Campeche, and Yucatán will see rainfall, with varying intensities.
- Where will strong winds occur? The Isthmus and Golfo de Tehuantepec, along with parts of Tamaulipas, Chihuahua, and Coahuila, will experience strong winds.
- How will temperatures vary across Mexico? Warm conditions persist along the Pacific coast, while colder temperatures are expected in mountainous regions and higher elevations.
- What precautions should the public take? Authorities advise exercising caution, especially in areas prone to heavy rainfall and strong winds, due to potential risks like water accumulation, flooding, and falling debris.
