Up to 45°C in Multiple States
- As the Easter holiday approaches, Mexico is experiencing a meaningful heat wave, with temperatures climbing to dangerous levels in many regions.
- Last Friday marked the beginning of the spring heat wave, with nearly two-thirds of Mexican states recording temperatures around 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit).
- Adding to the concerns,high ozone concentrations in the Valley of Mexico and the Metropolitan Zone triggered an environmental contingency this week.
Mexico Braces for Extreme Heat as Temperatures Soar
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As the Easter holiday approaches, Mexico is experiencing a meaningful heat wave, with temperatures climbing to dangerous levels in many regions. The high temperatures follow the start of April, traditionally a warmer period, but this year’s conditions are especially intense.
Last Friday marked the beginning of the spring heat wave, with nearly two-thirds of Mexican states recording temperatures around 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit). Seven states experienced even more extreme heat, with temperatures reaching 45 degrees Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit).
Adding to the concerns,high ozone concentrations in the Valley of Mexico and the Metropolitan Zone triggered an environmental contingency this week.
States Facing the hottest Temperatures
The National Meteorological Service (SMN) forecasts that the heat wave will persist through the weekend. The following states are expected to experience the highest temperatures:
- Nuevo León (Southwest and South)
- Tamaulipas (Southwest)
- San Luis Potosí (North, Central and South)
- Querétaro (Center and Northeast)
- Hidalgo (Northwest, Central and Southeast)
- Morelos
- Michoacán (West)
- Guerrero (north and Southwest)
- Oaxaca
- Veracruz (central and south)
Specifically, Tamaulipas, San Luis Potosí, Querétaro (North), Hidalgo (North), Veracruz, Oaxaca, and Guerrero are predicted to have maximum temperatures between 40 and 45 degrees Celsius (104 to 113 degrees fahrenheit).
Other states, including Coahuila, Nuevo León, Jalisco, Colima, Michoacán, Guanajuato, Morelos, Puebla, Chiapas, Tabasco, Campeche, Yucatán, and Quintana Roo, will likely see maximum temperatures ranging from 35 to 40 degrees Celsius (95 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit).
Sinaloa, Nayarit, Durango, Zacatecas, Aguascalientes, the State of Mexico (Southwest), and Mexico City are expected to have maximum temperatures between 30 and 35 degrees Celsius (86 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit).
The SMN also forecasts strong rains with very strong localized storms in Coahuila and Chiapas.
Sunday’s Forecast: Continued Heat
The heat wave is expected to continue on Sunday, impacting areas of Tamaulipas (southwest and southeast), San Luis Potosí (north, central and south), Querétaro (northeast), Hidalgo (northwest, central and southeast), Morelos, Michoacán (west), Guerrero (North and Southwest), Oaxaca (north, central and southeast), Chiapas (central and southeast) and Veracruz (center).
Maximum temperatures of 40 to 45 degrees Celsius (104 to 113 degrees Fahrenheit) are forecast for Tamaulipas, San Luis Potosí, Querétaro (North), Hidalgo, Morelos, Guerrero, Oaxaca, Veracruz, Tabasco, and Campeche.
Nuevo león, jalisco, Colima, Michoacán, Guanajuato (Northeast), Puebla, Chiapas, Yucatán, and Quintana Roo are expected to register maximum temperatures of 35 to 40 degrees Celsius (95 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit).
Sinaloa, Nayarit, Zacatecas (South), and the State of Mexico (Southwest) will likely experience maximum temperatures of 30 to 35 degrees Celsius (86 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit).
Strong showers and localized heavy rains (25 to 50 mm) are predicted for Chihuahua, Coahuila, and Chiapas.
Heat Wave Impacts Livestock
Jorge Ortiz Arévalo, general director of the Municipal Trace of Tapachula, noted the heat wave is causing problems for cattle, which primarily graze on grass.
“The heat has caused animal deaths,” Ortiz Arévalo told Efe, citing lack of water and shade as contributing factors. “There has been a lot of loss of cattle and pigs, which has considerably damaged the economy. There is no support from the three levels of government.”
The climate particularly affects vulnerable populations,including migrants. juan Enrique, a Cuban migrant in Tapachula, told Efe that the heat is intense both day and night, unlike the climate in his home country.
“At noon, around 12 p.m.,the heat wave begins,” Enrique said. “The heat here in Tapachula is between 33 and 36 degrees [Celsius]. We cope by drinking water to stay hydrated.”