After several days of heat in much of the country, the arrival of cold front number 42 It will mark a sharp change in the weather, with a much cooler atmosphere, heavy rains and gusts of wind that will be noticeable from the north to the southeast of Mexico.
Although spring has already begun, this new frontal system will be accompanied by a polar air mass and other high-altitude phenomena that will create a feeling of "late winter" during the last weekend of March, especially in mountainous areas and regions of the Gulf of Mexico.
When will cold front 42 arrive and how will it move?
According to the extended forecast from meteorological agencies, a new frontal system identified as cold front 42 It will first approach the north of the country and will eventually move inland over Mexican territory during the late afternoon/evening of a Friday in late MarchIts movement will continue between Saturday and Sunday, advancing from the northeast towards the east and southeast.
Initially, the front will be combined with a low pressure channel Located over the Northern Plateau, this will lead to vertically developing clouds, showers, and isolated thunderstorms in northern and northeastern states. As the system moves toward the Gulf of Mexico, interaction with moisture from the Pacific Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean Sea It will reinforce rainfall in the east and southeast.
In the middle and upper levels of the atmosphere, the presence of a polar trough and the subtropical jet stream, two elements that will facilitate the arrival of colder air and the development of extensive cloud cover, with episodes of severe weather in some parts of the country during the weekend.
This scenario will be complemented by a pattern of mid-level cyclones over the south-central region and weaker anticyclones in the north, a situation that opens the door to more polar air inflows and further temperature drops at the beginning of April.
Drop in temperatures and frost in high areas
The main consequence of cold front 42 will be a significant drop in temperatureEspecially in the north, northeast, central, and eastern parts of the country. The polar air mass associated with the system will cause very cold mornings, with sub-zero temperatures in mountainous areas.
The high areas of Coahuila, Nuevo León, San Luis Potosí, Aguascalientes, Jalisco, Michoacán, Guanajuato, Querétaro, Mexico City and Oaxaca Temperatures will range from 0 to 5°C during the early morning, with very cold environment and risk of light frosts, especially in rural areas and high valleys.
In the center of the country, including the Mexico's valleyA significant drop in temperatures is expected. Mexico City will experience cool mornings, with moderate winds and a lower wind chill than in previous days, contrasting sharply with the sunny afternoons of the past few days.
Despite the general cooling, in various points along the coastal strip and in the Yucatan peninsula Maximum temperatures will remain between 32 and 39 ºC, and even slightly higher in areas of the northwest, where the cold air will not be able to prevail with such intensity.
Heavy rain, showers and thunderstorms
Cold front 42 will not only bring cold weather; an episode of Rainfall spread across much of the territorywith significant accumulations in some states. The combination of the frontal system with low-pressure troughs and the influx of moisture from the three large bodies of water surrounding Mexico will favor showers and storms for several days.
Between the previous Wednesday and Friday, even before the full force of the front arrived, a low-pressure trough in the southeast and an upper-level trough over the Gulf of Mexico will drive convective development clouds. Heavy rains are expected during this phase in Puebla, Veracruz, Oaxaca and Chiapas, as well as showers in other states in the south, east and Yucatan Peninsula.
With the definitive arrival of the frontal system, from Friday to Sunday, the following is expected Scattered thunderstorms and rain of varying intensity in more than half of the country. Veracruz, Tabasco, Oaxaca and Chiapas They could accumulate between 10 and 75 mm, especially in mountainous areas and regions near the Gulf.
During Saturday, the rainfall will spread towards the Huasteca and the NortheastFrom Coahuila to Veracruz, with averages of 20 to 50 mm. At the same time, states in the northwest, west, and center, including Chihuahua, Sonora, State of Mexico and Mexico CityThey will record showers and isolated storms with accumulations of 5 to 30 mm.
Forecasts for the start of the following week indicate that the unsettled weather pattern will continue, with showers and heavy rain in Zacatecas, Durango, Sinaloa, Nayarit, Jalisco, Guanajuato, Querétaro, Hidalgo, State of Mexico, Mexico City, Tlaxcala, Puebla, Veracruz, Oaxaca, Chiapas and TabascoThis reflects that cold air and low-pressure channels will remain active.
Strong winds, dust storms and high waves
Another relevant aspect will be the increased wind gustsIn the northern states, wind speeds exceeding 70 km/h are expected with the initial arrival of the front, and gusts of up to 110 km/h are possible in mountainous areas and strips near the border, where dust storms could be generated that reduce visibility on the road.
In entities such as Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo León, Tamaulipas, Durango, Zacatecas and San Luis Potosí Strong winds are expected, associated with both the push of the polar air mass and its interaction with local low-pressure troughs. These winds will intensify the feeling of cold and may contribute to dust storms in desert and semi-desert areas.
At the Isthmus and Gulf of Tehuantepec Particularly strong gusts of wind, in the range of 80 to 100 km/h, are expected, accompanied by waves of 3 to 4 meters in height. These conditions may complicate navigation for small vessels and lead to the precautionary closure of some ports.
In the central part of the country, including the Bajío region and the Valley of Mexico, the wind will also play a significant role. On Saturday, gusts could reach 60 to 70 km/h, enough to move branches, light signs, and create a lower wind chill in the early morning and at dusk.
Authorities recommend securing objects on rooftops and balconies, avoiding taking shelter under billboards or large trees during periods of very strong winds, and staying alert for possible Civil Protection warnings in the most exposed areas.
Thermal contrasts and outlook for the coming days
The arrival of cold front 42 once again highlights the high weather variability at this time of year. While the north and the highlands will experience a drop in temperature with frosts in the early mornings, coastal areas will continue to have summer-like temperatures, with values that in some parts of the northwest could reach or exceed 40°C.
In the northeast, the heat will be significantly tempered by rain and cloud cover, with highs ranging from 25 to 33°C and lows from 10 to 18°C. Further inland, highs of 15 to 25°C are expected on Saturday, slightly below what would be typical for late March, before a slight rebound is forecast for Sunday in northern regions.
Predictive models indicate that, in the coming 7 to 15 daysA trend toward mid-level cyclones will continue in the south-central part of the country, with weak anticyclones in the north and a higher frequency of polar air masses. This configuration favors recurring periods of lower temperatures, rain, and windy spells, at least during the beginning of April.
In this context, meteorological authorities insist that a scenario of an “extremely hot spring” or widespread drought across the country should not be taken for granted. Contrasts between warm periods and cooler, wetter phases could be common in the coming weeks.
Given this situation, the public is advised Stay tuned for official announcementsDress warmly in the cold early mornings, avoid sudden changes in temperature, and pay special attention to vulnerable people such as children, the elderly, and those suffering from respiratory illnesses, as these types of late cold spells tend to increase the risk of colds and other health problems.
With the arrival of cold front 42, Mexico will face a weekend of marked contrasts: while some states will face Sub-zero temperatures, frost, heavy rain and strong windsOthers will continue with a hot environment, especially on the coasts and areas of the Yucatan Peninsula; this behavior, far from being strange, fits with a spring characterized by abrupt changes and requires staying attentive to the evolution of the weather day by day.
