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U.S. cold airmass freezes out 20 states and brings strong winds and cool temperatures to Yucatan Peninsula

Riviera Maya, Q.R. — Mexico’s National Meteorological Service (SMN) says the full entry of an arctic air mass from the U.S. has left 20 states below 0C. The cold air has also created strong winds that left navigation closed to small boats and red flags dotting Cancun beaches.

The mass of cold air hit the region early Wednesday with strong wind gusts and a dip in temperatures. Local Civil Protection says the region will likely dip down to 15C (59F) during the late hours of Wednesday and remain there until early Thursday.

According to Mexicio’s Servicio Meteorológico Nacional (SMN) “cold front no. 24 and the associated arctic air mass will maintain the cold wave in a large part of the national territory, mainly in the north and northeast with minimum temperatures below 0°C in 20 states.

“Simultaneously, the intense “Norte” event will prevail with gusts of 90 to 110 kms/h in the Isthmus and Gulf of Tehuantepec and gusts of 80 to 100 kms/h on the coasts of Veracruz and gusts of 60 to 80 kms/h in Tamaulipas, Tabasco, Campeche, Yucatan and Quintana Roo

Rough seas left navigation closed to small boats Wednesday. Photo: January 22, 2025 Cozumel.

“In addition, waves of 4 to 6 meters high are expected on the coasts of Tamaulipas, Veracruz, Tabasco and in the Gulf of Tehuantepec as well as waves of 3 to 5 meters high on the coasts of Campeche, Yucatán and Quintana Roo.

“The interaction of a low pressure channel and the entry of humidity from the Gulf of Mexico will cause heavy rains in Veracruz, Oaxaca, Chiapas, Tabasco and Quintana Roo, as well as showers in Campeche and Yucatan,” they reported Wednesday.

Tulum Civil Protection has also issued a warning due to the strong winds and dip in temperatures that are expected to affect the region until Saturday.

An Isla Mujeres beach is seen nearly empty Wednesday due to the entry of cold air from the U.S.

The Dirección General de Proteccion Civil y Bomberos of Tulum says “the forecast for the next 24 hours in the municipality of Tulum is expected to be mostly cloudy, windy and very cool at night and at dawn tomorrow.

“From today until Saturday will be a very windy environment associated with a strong “northern” event. Tomorrow, probability of heavy rains in Tulum.”

According to the SMN, Chetumal was the state’s hotspot Tuesday with 29.5C. The area with the most significant rainfall Tuesday was Puerto Juárez, Isla Mujeres with 27 mms.