A cold weather front is sweeping Mexico, bringing below-freezing temperatures to four central states, as a low-pressure system off the Pacific coast is predicted to cause intense rains in some regions.
In its Tuesday morning report, the National Meteorological Service forecast temperatures between -5 and 0 degrees Celsius (23-32 F) in mountainous regions of México state, Hidalgo, Puebla and Tlaxcala.
Se pronostican #Lluvias intensas en #Colima, #Guerrero, el sur de #Jalisco y #Michoacán.
Toda la información ⬇️https://t.co/zDO2QcLTcU pic.twitter.com/zgAuAAYvwg
— CONAGUA Clima (@conagua_clima) October 17, 2023
Temperatures between 0 and 5 degrees Celsius (32-41 F) were also forecast in high-altitude regions across the center and north of the country, and even as far south as Chiapas. By contrast, low altitude regions could still see temperatures as high as 45 degrees Celsius (113 F) in northern states such as Sinaloa and Sonora.
Meanwhile, the National Water Commission (Conagua) warned that a low-pressure area was forming off the coast of Jalisco and Colima, with a 90% probability of becoming a cyclone within the next 48 hours.
Although it is unclear whether the storm will make landfall, it will cause intense rains (75-150 mm) in Colima, Guerrero, south Jalisco and Michoacán; very heavy rains (50-75 mm) in Chiapas; and heavy rain (25-50 mm) in Oaxaca, Tabasco and Veracruz.
Conagua said that these rains would likely be accompanied by lightning and possible hail, and could cause landslides and flooding in low-lying areas. The local population is advised to take precautions and stay alert to instructions from civil protection authorities.
Winds of up to 90 km/h could hit the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, and waves of 2-4 meters on the coasts of Oaxaca and Chiapas. Slightly less intense winds and waves are also predicted along Mexico’s eastern coast, easing towards the end of the day.
These conditions are linked to a weather phenomenon known as the “Norte” event, which occurs when polar masses pass through the Gulf of Mexico, often causing storms.
With reports from El Universal
