Riviera Maya, Q.R. — The scorching hot weather being enjoyed across the Yucatan Peninsula will come to a screeching halt this weekend. A mass of Polar air that has already entered northwestern Mexico is heading straight for the peninsula.
According to the SMN (National Meteorological Service), that mass of ice cold air will enter the region Thursday afternoon and stick around for several days. Along with a dip in temperatures, the system of Polar air, cold front 40, will also create strong winds and likely thunderstorms for the entire region.
The SMN (Servicio Meteorológico Nacional) says “cold front number 40 will move across northern and northeastern Mexico, and in interaction with the subtropical jet stream, an atmospheric river and the dvection of warm, humid air from the Gulf of Mexico, will generate strong to very strong winds in these regions.
“Showers and heavy rain accompanied by lightning and hail is likely in Coahuila, Nuevo León and Tamaulipas along with the possible formation of whirlwinds or tornadoes.”
The agency says low-pressure troughs over the interior of Mexico, combined with moisture from the Pacific Ocean, Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea, along with atmospheric instability will cause rain and showers with lightning in central, eastern, and southeastern Mexico, including the Yucatán Peninsula.”
“On Wednesday, cold front number 40 will slowly move across the northeast of the country. Interacting with a trough in the middle and upper levels of the atmosphere and the subtropical jet stream, it will generate strong to very strong winds in that region, as well as in the Northern Plateau.
“Starting Thursday, cold front number 40 will be reinforced by a polar air mass and will move over the Gulf of Mexico coast. Interacting with a low-pressure trough over the east and southeast of the country, it will increase the probability of showers and heavy rain with possible hail in those regions including the Yucatán Peninsula.
“Intense isolated showers are likely in Chiapas and Tabasco, and very heavy rain in Veracruz and Oaxaca. Additionally, a “Norte” event is expected with gusts of 80 to 100 km/h in the Isthmus and Gulf of Tehuantepec and from 60 to 80 km/h in Tamaulipas, Veracruz and Tabasco.”
Until then, temperatures will remain very hot. Thermometer readings between 35 to 40C (95 to 104F) will continue in Nayarit, Jalisco, Colima, Morelos, Puebla (southwest), Chiapas, Tabasco, Campeche, Yucatán. Residents in Quintana Roo will continue to enjoy 30 to 35C (86 to 95F) days.
