Cozumel, Q.R. — The island of Cozumel recorded historic rains over the recent holidays due to a mass of cold air. Cold Front No. 19 began to enter Mexican territory December 22. The system of arctic air, which came from the U.S., fully reached the Yucatan Peninsula two days later.
With it came strong winds, rains and a significant drop in temperature. The rainfall was intense enough on the island of Cozumel to create a new record. According to Conagua, Cozumel received a historic rainfall of 213 millimeters of rain in a 24 hour period.
Paul André Quintero Marí, who heads Cozumel Civil Protection, confirmed the historic rainfall. He said the previous record was 113 mms of rain in a 24 hour period. He also said that municipal personnel toured areas known to flood and were forced to temporarily shut several streets until they were able to drain.
He added that the island experienced wind gusts of up to 100 kilometers per hour, an atypical phenomenon for the season. For that reason, navigation to smaller vessels was closed.
According to Conagua, there were daytime temperatures of 17 degrees C (62F) recorded along the coast at a time of year when daytime temperatures are normally around 30C (86F).
Despite the rain and strong winds, seven cruise ships carrying more than 18,000 passengers arrived on Cozumel during the cold front. Cold Front No. 19 that hit the Yucatan Peninsula was part of an arctic air system that paralyzed a majority of the northeast U.S. over the holiday season.
