Overview and Relevance
Querétaro, a central Mexican state known for its rich history and thriving industries, is currently facing a severe drought affecting 72.4% of its territory, according to the Monitor de Sequía de México (MSN) reported by the National Water Commission (Conagua). This situation has significant implications for agriculture, water resources, and the local population.
Drought Conditions
As of April 30, 2025, the state experienced 17 municipalities in moderate drought conditions, accounting for 94.4% of its total 18 municipalities. Additionally, 27.6% of the area faced anomalously dry conditions, occurring either before or after a drought period.
Intensification of Drought Conditions
The drought conditions intensified in April, with the area affected by moderate drought increasing by 52.2 percentage points from 20.2% to 72.4%. This shift led to a considerable decrease in areas without drought impact and a reduction in anomalously dry conditions due to the expansion of moderately drought-affected areas.
Types of Drought Conditions
Anomalously dry conditions represent a severe dryness not classified as drought but occurring at the beginning or end of a drought period. These conditions can lead to delayed crop planting, limited growth of crops or pastures, and an increased risk of fires. Moderate drought, the first of four categories, causes some damage to crops and pastures, with a high risk of fires, low river, stream, reservoir, trough, and well levels, and a suggestion for voluntary water usage restrictions.
Affected Municipalities
Seventeen municipalities in Querétaro experienced moderate drought conditions in April, including Amealco de Bonfil, Pinal de Amoles, Cadereyta de Montes, Colón, Corregidora, Ezequiel Montes, Huimilpan, Jalpan de Serra, Landa de Matamoros, El Marqués, Pedro Escobedo, Peñamiller, Querétaro, San Joaquín, San Juan del Río, Tequisquiapan, and Tolimán.
Arroyo Seco, located in the state’s mountainous region, remained the sole municipality under anomalously dry conditions during April.
Recent Rainfall Patterns
Despite some regions, such as Baja California Peninsula, northeast, central, and southern Mexico, experiencing above-average rainfall in the second half of April, a high-pressure atmospheric system and low humidity levels resulted in scarce rainfall and hot weather across much of Mexico. This phenomenon led to an increase in moderately drought-affected areas, particularly in central and southern Mexico, including Querétaro.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the current drought situation in Querétaro? Seventy-two point four percent (72.4%) of Querétaro’s territory is experiencing moderate drought conditions, with 27.6% facing anomalously dry conditions.
- Which municipalities are affected by the drought? Seventeen municipios in Querétaro are experiencing moderate drought, including Amealco de Bonfil, Pinal de Amoles, Cadereyta de Montes, Colón, Corregidora, Ezequiel Montes, Huimilpan, Jalpan de Serra, Landa de Matamoros, El Marqués, Pedro Escobedo, Peñamiller, Querétaro, San Joaquín, San Juan del Río, Tequisquiapan, and Tolimán.
- What are the types of drought conditions mentioned? Anomalously dry conditions represent severe dryness not classified as drought but occurring at the beginning or end of a drought period. Moderate drought, the first category, causes some damage to crops and pastures with a high risk of fires, low water levels, and suggestions for voluntary water usage restrictions.
- What recent rainfall patterns have impacted Querétaro? Although some regions in Mexico experienced above-average rainfall in April, a high-pressure atmospheric system and low humidity levels resulted in scarce rainfall and hot weather across much of the country, intensifying drought conditions in Querétaro.
