Mexico is bracing for the arrival of Cold Front No. 25, expected to sweep through the country this weekend, significantly affecting temperatures and weather conditions. The Servicio Meteorológico Nacional (SMN) has indicated this cold front will usher in extreme chills and icy conditions, particularly impacting the northern and central regions of the country.
The front is forecasted to arrive on Saturday, January 25, bringing along a polar air mass expected to contribute to drastic temperature drops. The SMN alerts indicate the most severe effects will be felt from Saturday to Sunday, with notable minimum temperatures dropping between -10°C to -5°C expected in mountain regions of Baja California and Durango.
According to Conagua, as the cold front progresses, 13 states will experience freezing temperatures. States facing the brunt of this cold front include Baja California, Chihuahua, Durango, Sonora, Zacatecas, Aguascalientes, Jalisco, Michoacán, Guanajuato, and several others. The forecast warns of minimum temperatures ranging significantly across these areas.
Specific predictions include:
- Temperatures of -10°C to -5°C: Areas of Baja California and Durango.
- Temperatures of -5°C to 0°C: Regions of Sonora, Chihuahua, Zacatecas, Aguascalientes, Jalisco, Michoacán, Estado de México, Tlaxcala, Puebla, and Hidalgo.
- Temperatures of 0°C to 5°C: Mountainous areas of Sinaloa, Coahuila, Nuevo León, San Luis Potosí, Guanajuato, Querétaro, Veracruz, and Oaxaca.
The cold front also threatens to bring light rain to various northern and southern states. Forecasts for Saturday and Sunday include possible showers in Baja California, Veracruz, Oaxaca, and Chiapas, along with isolated rainfall predicted for Sonora, Sinaloa, and several other regions.
It is noteworthy to mention the extreme weather coincides with established patterns of severe cold fronts during winter months, wherein the country typically sees multiple such weather events. Already this season, 24 fronts have affected Mexico, part of the total 48 anticipated for the current winter season (2024-2025).
Beyond the immediate concerns of cold temperatures, there are pressing health advisories being circulated by health authorities. The Instituto de Seguridad y Servicios Sociales de los Trabajadores del Estado (ISSSTE) has issued several recommendations aimed at safeguarding the public from respiratory illnesses caused by the cold:
- Avoid sudden temperature changes and drafts.
- When leaving warm environments, cover your mouth and nose to protect against cold air.
- Dress warmly with hats, gloves, scarves, and thick socks to combat the chill.
- Consume plenty of fruits and vegetables to boost your immune defenses, with special emphasis on vitamin C.
- Practice proper sneezing etiquette using disposable tissues or the inner arm to prevent spreading illness.
- Stay indoors during extremely cold conditions and limit outings to necessary trips.
- Ensure adequate bedding at night as temperatures drop significantly after dark.
- Avoid self-medicatation for respiratory infections, and seek medical assistance to prevent complications.
The SMN emphasizes the importance of preparation, with authorities urging residents, especially vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and those with chronic health issues, to take these warnings seriously. Weather forecasts typically highlight the urgency of cold fronts as they approach, prompting responsive measures from both state and community levels.
While meteorologists continue to track Cold Front No. 25, residents across affected states are being advised to remain vigilant and heed the authorities' recommendations. With proper precautions, Mexico can effectively manage the impacts of this incoming cold front, minimizing health risks associated with the onset of winter’s chilling grasp.