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Fast front causes extreme temperature plummet in Cancun and Riviera Maya

Riviera Maya, Q.R. — State Civil Protection issued a temperature drop warning Sunday afternoon hours before the anticipated arrival of cold front 16.

The agency said the Sunday daytime temperature would drop from its current 30C (86F) to 35C (95F) to between 17C (62F) and 19C (66F). The arrival of the cold air was felt with strong winds late Sunday afternoon as the system entered the region.

According to SMN, gusts of up to 50 kms/h accompanied the front as it entered Quintana Roo from the west. Rumbling skies were also heard as the cold air neared the coast.

In Cancun, the system was noticed around 4:00 p.m. and by 6:00 pm., had made its way down through Riviera Maya, quickly replacing warm air with cold. Within two hours, the coast had plummeted from a pleasant daytime temperature of mid-30s to below 20C.

The entry of the system affected the entire state in varying degrees, in particular, to the south. While regions from Isla Mujeres and Cozumel to Playa del Carmen were hit, it was Puerto Aventuras that suffered more flooding than it’s sister city to the north.

However, many municipalities felt the windy chilling effects of the front as it advanced toward the Quintana Roo coast. Strong winds were reported across the entire state, bowing smaller trees and knocking down holiday decorations.

Municipal authorities around the state were out clearing drains to avoid flooding while drivers made their way through some water logged streets. According to Servicio Meteorológico Nacional (SMN), the front is forecast to stick around for a day or two generating more heavy rains before moving off Wednesday.

The SMN has forecast 56 cold fronts for Mexico for the 2023-2024 winter season. They have not said how many are likely to hit the Yucatan Peninsula.