Heatwave Sweeps Across Mexico: A Weekend Forecast
Mexico is bracing for a heatwave expected to last through the weekend, impacting much of the country. The Servicio Meteorológico Nacional (SMN), Mexico’s national weather service, has issued warnings for temperatures reaching up to 45°C (113°F) in several states.
Regional Weather Patterns: A Complex Mix
The current weather situation is a result of several interacting systems. A dry line interacting with a frontal system in northeastern Mexico is bringing winds of 20-30 km/h, with gusts up to 60 km/h, and potential dust storms to Coahuila and Nuevo León. Meanwhile, low-pressure channels across western, central, southern, and southeastern Mexico, combined with moisture influx, are causing showers in Quintana Roo and isolated rains in several other states including Jalisco, Colima, and Oaxaca.
An anticyclone centered over the northwest is maintaining stable and cold conditions, with potential frost in mountainous areas of the northwest, north, and central regions.
Friday’s Forecast: Isolated Showers and Rising Temperatures
Friday will observe a generally warm to very warm environment across most of Mexico, with the heatwave continuing in Baja California Sur, Durango, Jalisco, Guerrero, and Oaxaca. The heat is also expanding to include Michoacán, Morelos, and Puebla. Despite the overall warmth, isolated showers are expected in Jalisco, Colima, Michoacán, Estado de México, Guerrero, Oaxaca, Chiapas, Campeche, Yucatán, and Quintana Roo, potentially accompanied by electrical discharges.
Valley of Mexico: A Detailed Look
The Valley of Mexico will experience clear to partly cloudy skies in the morning with cool temperatures. The afternoon will bring warmer conditions with a chance of isolated showers and electrical discharges in the State of Mexico, but remaining dry in Mexico City. Temperatures in Mexico City are expected to range from 9-11°C (48-52°F) to 26-28°C (79-82°F). Toluca will be colder, with a low of 1-3°C (34-37°F) and a high of 24-26°C (75-79°F). Northeasterly winds of 10-25 km/h with gusts up to 45 km/h are also forecast.
Weekend and Early Next Week: Continued Heat and Wind
Over the weekend and into Monday, a dry line in northeastern Mexico and an anticyclonic circulation in the Gulf of Mexico will bring southerly winds with gusts of 40-60 km/h to Coahuila, Nuevo León, and Tamaulipas. The anticyclonic circulation will maintain very warm conditions in the northwest, north, and west of the country.
The heatwave will persist in Durango, Jalisco, Michoacán, Guerrero, Morelos, Puebla, and Oaxaca, ending in Baja California Sur on Saturday. Increased humidity from the Pacific Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean Sea, combined with divergence, will generate showers and thunderstorms in northern, western, southern, and southeastern Mexico, as well as the State of Mexico and the Yucatán Peninsula.
Potential Hazards: Strong Winds and High Temperatures
Strong wind gusts could knock down trees and advertising signs. Temperatures are expected to remain high across much of the country.
Regional Forecasts: February 27th
- Rainfall: Isolated rains (0.1 to 5 mm) in Jalisco, Colima, Michoacán, Estado de México, Guerrero, Oaxaca, Chiapas, Campeche, Yucatán, and Quintana Roo.
- Maximum Temperatures: 40 to 45°C in Baja California Sur, Sonora (south), Chihuahua (southwest), Sinaloa (north), and Guerrero (northwest).
- Minimum Temperatures: -10 to -5°C with frost in mountainous areas of Chihuahua, and Durango.
- Winds: 10 to 20 km/h with gusts of 30 to 50 km/h across much of the country.
Looking Ahead: February 28th – March 2nd
The forecast for the coming days indicates continued warm to very warm conditions, with the potential for significant rainfall in several regions. Strong winds are also expected, particularly in the north and along the coasts.
FAQ
- What is the highest temperature expected? Up to 45°C (113°F) in several states.
- Which states are under a heatwave warning? Baja California Sur, Durango, Jalisco, Guerrero, Oaxaca, Michoacán, Morelos, and Puebla.
- Are there any areas expecting significant rainfall? Quintana Roo, and isolated showers in Jalisco, Colima, Michoacán, Estado de México, Guerrero, Oaxaca, Chiapas, Campeche, Yucatán.
- What about wind conditions? Strong winds are expected in Coahuila, Nuevo León, and Tamaulipas, as well as along coastal areas.
Stay informed by checking the latest forecasts from the Servicio Meteorológico Nacional (SMN).
