Riviera Maya, Q.R. — The first real blast of winter is forecast to hit the Yucatan Peninsula this week. A mass of U.S. arctic air is making its way south. That mass began to enter Mexican territory Tuesday and is forecast to blanket the Yucatan Peninsula for Thursday.
Mexico’s Servicio Meteorológico Nacional (SMN) says a significant drop in nighttime temperatures will be felt with the arrival of the arctic air. “Cold Front 10 will extend over the north and northeast of the country and, in interaction with the subtropical jet stream, will produce strong to very strong winds.
“The cold air mass associated with the front will cause a cold to very cold morning and night environment over the northwest, north and northeast of the national territory with frost at dawn in elevated areas,” the SMN reported Tuesday.
The mass of cold air will also cause a cool to temperate daytime environment, the SMN said. Higher elevations in Mexico’s northern regions will see nighttime temps dip below freezing with the likeliness of frost.
“A low pressure channel in the southern Gulf of Mexico and the southeast, in interaction with the remaining cloudiness of Sara and with a low level current, will cause showers and heavy rains in those areas including the Yucatan Peninsula.”
Heavy rain of between 50 and 75 mms across Campeche, Yucatán and Quintana Roo is forecast for Wednesday ahead of the arrival of arctic air.
On Thursday, Cancun and Riviera Maya will likely feel the first blast of official winter weather with the arrival of the U.S. cold air. According to the SMN, while nighttime temperatures will take a hit, daytime temperatures are expected to rebound to 30C (86F). The arctic air is forecast to move away from the region for the weekend.
