Yucatan Heatwave to End with Incoming Cold Front

A strong cold front is predicted to hit the Yucatan Peninsula in the coming days, providing a brief respite from the recent heatwave. Despite the old adage, "crazy February and March, a bit more", January is proving to be just as unpredictable with climate change. The intense heat of recent days is expected to break starting this Sunday when the cold front arrives.

The weekend will remain warm due to the presence of an anticyclone, which has prevented the recent frontal system from making a significant impact.

Cold Front Arrival in Yucatan

Yucatan Civil Protection (Procivy) has reported that the effects of the cold front will begin on Sunday evening, January 19th. Rainfall is expected to range from light to heavy. A "north" event is predicted, with wind gusts of 65 to 75 km/h on the coast and 40 to 50 km/h inland. Waves could reach up to 2.5 meters near the coast and up to 5 meters offshore by Tuesday, January 21st.

A drop in temperatures is also expected from January 20th to 23rd, although the decrease will not be significant. Procivy is urging residents to heed any measures established by maritime and port authorities, including possible port closures.

Arrival of Cold Front "Peek"

Meteorologist Juan Antonio Palma Solis, coordinator of Meteored Mexico, explained that an anticyclone has dominated the region in recent days. This anticyclone is expected to move on Sunday, making way for the cold front known as "Peek" (which translates to 'dog' in Maya). This front is expected to have more significant effects than the previous one, known as "Ooch".

Despite the incoming cold front, warm conditions are expected to persist over the weekend. The anticyclone will cause temperatures to remain high for the next 72 hours, potentially reaching or exceeding 35 degrees.

On Saturday, an Arctic air mass, one of the most powerful that occur in winter seasons, is expected to reach the Gulf of Mexico. However, the region will continue to experience heat until Sunday evening when the frontal system is expected to begin affecting the area.

Possible "North" Event and Port Closure

Palma Solis confirmed that current predictions suggest "Peek" will arrive on Monday in the northern part of the Yucatan Peninsula. This will bring rains, a "north" event on the coasts, and potential port closures. Wind speeds could reach up to 60 km/h, as the "north" event is expected to be strong.