Riviera Maya, Q.R. — Cold fronts that continue to reach the Yucatan Peninsula from the U.S. have created sea swells resulting in port closures. On Thursday, ports to all navigation was shut due to high waves after a series of unusually long journeys between island and mainland.
Both ferry companies that run the Playa del Carmen-Cozumel routes suspended services due to rough seas. Rolling waves created unfavorable conditions not only for crossing, but also for docking.
The temporary suspension lasted most of the day Thursday after the late morning closure. It wasn’t until 5:00 p.m. that vessels were able to sail again.
Through a statement, Winjet announced the suspension of the crossing service for an indefinite period “due to the tidal conditions in Playa del Carmen.” Ultramar was also forced to suspend services due to the bad weather.
“We inform that due to current navigation conditions, we will be operating subject to possible delays or cancellations on our Playa del Carmen-Cozumel route,” Ultramar posted early Thursday.
Strong winds are forecast to continue with the arrival of another cold front. Over the weekend, an artcic air mass from the U.S. is expected to reach the Yucatan Peninsula.
According to the Servicio Meteorológico Nacional (SMN), the mass of polar air associated with cold front 17 will begin entering the coastal region late Saturday, completely blanketing the state of Quintana Roo until at least Monday.
“During Saturday and Sunday, the polar air mass associated with the front will cause a strong to very strong north event on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico and the Yucatan Peninsula,” the SMN said.
“Cold front No. 17 will extend over the northwest, north and northeast of the Mexican Republic in interaction with a low pressure channel located over the Gulf of Mexico and the Mexican southeast combined with the abundant entry of humidity generated by currents in polar and subtropical jets, they will cause strong gusts of wind as well as showers and heavy to very heavy rains over states in the northeast, east and southeast of the national territory, including the Yucatan Peninsula.
“Starting Monday, the front will move over the Caribbean Sea and will no longer affect national territory,” the SMN has reported.
While nighttime and morning temperatures are expected to drop, daytime temperatures for the state of Quintana Roo are forecast to rebound to seasonal of between 30C (86F) and 35C (95F).
