Monday, September 8, 2025

Tornado surprises residents of Fresnillo, Zacatecas, but leaves no damage

Some residents of Fresnillo, Zacatecas, looked up in alarm while others dashed for their cellphones as an earth-colored tornado spun through the area on Tuesday, but without leaving much evidence of its passage.

State Civil Protection officials said the low-density tornado touched down at 1:00pm between the communities of Saucito del Poleo and Valdecañas and generated winds of between 60 and 117 kilometers per hour, qualifying it as an EF0 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale — the lowest rating for tornado intensity.

Although many residents were alarmed, authorities reported neither property damage nor injuries. Videos and photos of the phenomenon have been widely shared on social media.

According to Manuel de Jesús Macías Patiño, an environmental expert and researcher at the Autonomous University of Zacatecas, climate change was to blame for the event. He added that while whirlwinds and small tornados are not uncommon in Zacatecas during other seasons, a long dry spell caused by changing climate conditions facilitated the formation of the twister.

Macías Patiño advised residents to be prepared to see more unusual and out-of-season weather patterns and phenomenon as climate change accelerates. He also said that since storms and tornados were likely to become both more frequent and stronger, the state government should invest in special radar technology capable of detecting conditions under which tornados form.

Source: Excélsior (sp), El Universal (sp)

The tornado caused no damage or casualties.
The tornado caused no damage or casualties.
Have something to say? Paid Subscribers get all access to make & read comments.
Workers install scaffolding in front of a giant Mexican flag

Mexico’s week in review: Bilateral tension and cooperation on display as Mexico welcomes its new judiciary

2
Other headlines included canceled Mexican Independence celebrations in the US, a new Mexican unicorn startup and a win for jaguar conservation.
train track

Maya Train gets final approval for a new freight terminal in Cancún

0
The green light from the Environment Ministry means land-clearing can begin on the new freight teminal, which will involve removing 260 hectares of jungle.

Threat of US immigration raids forces cancellation of Chicago’s Mexican Independence Day celebration

9
The Trump administration has threatened major anti-immigrant action in Chicago, the city with the third-largest Mexican and Mexican American population in the U.S.
BETA Version - Powered by Perplexity