Chihuahua city recorded extremely cold temperatures early Tuesday morning, January 21, 2023, when the thermometer dipped to -7°C, with a feeling of -8°C. This notable decline is part of the weather forecast, which anticipates temperatures peaking at about 6°C by 3:00 PM. The prediction includes low chances of precipitation and mostly sunny skies, juxtaposed with predicted wind speeds less than those recorded on previous days, maintaining between 3 and 17 kilometers per hour, though gusts could reach up to 33 kilometers per hour. By nighttime, the weather will remain partially cloudy, with temperatures expected to drop to around 4°C.
The cold front number 24 is responsible for this drastic temperature decrease. According to El Heraldo De Juárez, this cold front is anticipated to bring about widespread cold over northern and northeastern Mexico. Experts from the National Meteorological Service (SMN) have indicated serious drops; with some mountainous areas of Chihuahua predicted to see minimum temperatures less than -15 °C, leading to frost.
Detailed reports reveal the varying temperatures expected throughout the day. The Weather Channel forecast showed the temperature declining to -5°C around 9:00 AM, matching the warnings issued by authorities for extreme weather conditions. The air quality remains satisfactory, indicating minimal risks from atmospheric pollution.
Many areas within Chihuahua have reported low temperatures of around -6°C, feeling much lower due to wind chill factors (down to -12°C). AccuWeather has confirmed these findings, predicting temperatures will not exceed 6°C throughout the day for most locations.
Local news channel La Paradoja captured the morning conditions: "La mañana de este martes 21 de enero, la ciudad de Chihuahua amaneció con una temperatura de -7°C, con una sensación térmica ligeramente inferior de -8ºC." Officials have urged residents to take adequate precautions. The extreme cold has sparked concerns for public safety, particularly among vulnerable populations.
Efforts are underway, with local authorities advising residents to stay indoors and cover up to avoid hypothermia and frostbite. Wearing layers and ensuring homes are adequately heated are recommended practices. Strong winds accompanying the cold snap could lead to blowing snow, significantly affecting visibility.
Though the weather appears bright early on, expect temperatures to fall sharply, particularly after sunset when the chill will bite even harder. Reports indicate maximums struggling to reach above freezing, which emphasizes the unusual nature of this cold snap for the region.
Overall, the coming days will likely continue to reflect these colder temperatures, with weather forecasters advising caution. The interaction of cold fronts and polar jet streams significantly influences this current weather event, establishing the need for community preparedness.