Mexico Braces for Severe Weather: Heavy Rains and Freezing Temperatures Forecasted
Mexico is preparing for a period of intense weather conditions, with the government urging residents in multiple states to take preventative measures against heavy rainfall and plummeting temperatures. The warning, issued Sunday, stems from a forecast by the National Meteorological Service (SMN) predicting significant weather events over the next 72 hours.
The National Civil Protection Coordination (CNPC) announced that the SMN anticipates “heavy rains with very strong points” beginning Wednesday, November 26th, impacting Nuevo León, Tamaulipas, San Luis Potosí, and Hidalgo. Specific regions within these states – including the Huasteca region of San Luis Potosí and the Sierra Alta, Huasteca, and Sierra de Tenango areas of Hidalgo – are expected to be particularly affected.
Additional states under alert include Puebla, Veracruz, and Oaxaca. The SMN’s forecast extends to intervals of showers (5 to 25 mm) in Chiapas, Campeche, and Quintana Roo starting Monday, November 24th, accompanied by minimum temperatures ranging from -10 to -5 degrees Celsius with potential frost in the mountain regions of Chihuahua and Durango.
Looking ahead to Tuesday, November 25th, similar shower patterns are predicted for Coahuila, Nuevo León, Tamaulipas, Veracruz, Oaxaca, Chiapas, Tabasco, and Quintana Roo. Frost is also anticipated in mountain areas of Baja California, Sonora, Chihuahua, Durango, Zacatecas, State of Mexico, Tlaxcala, and Puebla, with temperatures dipping to -5 to 0 degrees Celsius. Wednesday’s forecast intensifies, with the SMN warning of heavy rainfall – between 50 to 75 mm – across Nuevo León, Tamaulipas, San Luis Potosí, Hidalgo, Puebla, Veracruz, and Oaxaca. Chihuahua and Durango are again expected to experience freezing temperatures, with lows between -10 and -5 degrees Celsius.
The CNPC is maintaining constant surveillance of the developing situation, working in coordination with the National Water Commission (Conagua) to monitor the evolution of these hydrometeorological phenomena. “Recommendations have been issued to state and municipal authorities to activate the corresponding prevention, preparation and protection measures in the indicated regions,” a senior official stated.
To safeguard residents, authorities are advising citizens to review family emergency plans, assemble emergency backpacks containing essential supplies like first-aid kits, lamps, radios, and non-perishable food. Identifying evacuation routes and locating temporary shelters are also crucial steps. Individuals are urged to wear thermal clothing and ensure adequate protection for children and the elderly.
The CNPC emphasized the importance of staying informed through official sources and adhering to local authority guidance. Following heavy rains, residents are cautioned against attempting to cross rivers, streams, or flooded streets.
These warnings follow devastating rains in October that impacted Veracruz, Hidalgo, Puebla, San Luis Potosí, and Querétaro. President Claudia Sheinbaum recently announced ongoing discussions with families affected by the October floods, particularly those residing in high-risk areas, to explore relocation options. The October storms resulted in 83 fatalities and 16 individuals remain missing. The government estimates that approximately 100,000 homes and significant infrastructure were damaged.
