The climate in Mexico

Mexico is a country with a diverse climate that is strongly influenced by its geography and topography. The country is located in the southern part of North America, bordering the Pacific Ocean to the west, the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea to the east, and the Sierra Madre mountain range to the north.

The northern region of Mexico has a dry climate with low rainfall and high temperatures. The region is subject to extreme temperature fluctuations, with temperatures reaching 50 degrees in the summer months and even freezing in the winter. The northern region is also prone to dust storms and droughts, which can have severe effects on agriculture.

The central region has a temperate climate with mild temperatures and year-round precipitation. Summers are generally warm and humid, while winters can be cold, with temperatures dropping below freezing in some areas. The rainy season is here from May to October.

The southern part of the country has a tropical climate with high temperatures and humidity throughout the year. Heavy rainfall and tropical storms occur especially in the summer months.

The Pacific coast of Mexico has a very different climate, with the northern region being rather dry and the south having a tropical climate with high rainfall. The Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea have a tropical climate with high humidity and year-round precipitation. The Yucatan Peninsula has a subtropical climate with high temperatures and precipitation in the summer months.

Temperature records of the last 74 years

The hottest temperature measured from 1949 to January 2023 was reported by the Ejido Nuevo Leon weather station. In July 2017, the record temperature of 49.8 °C was reported here. The hottest summer from July to September, based on all 80 weather stations in Mexico below 2,720 meters altitude, was recorded in 1993 with an average temperature of 25.7 °C. This average temperature will normally be measured every four to six hours, thus also including the nights. Normally, this value is 24.9 degrees Celsius.

The coldest day in these 74 years was reported by the Temosachic weather station. Here the temperature dropped to -21.0 °C in February 2011. Temosachic lies at an altitude of 1,932 meters above sea level. The coldest winter (January to March) was in 2010 with an average temperature of 17.6 °C. In Mexico, it is usual to have about 1.6 degrees more at 19.2 °C for this three-month period.

The most precipitation fell in September 1952. With 46.7 mm per day, the Manzanillo weather station recorded the highest monthly average of the last 74 years. Incidentally, the region with the most rainfall for the whole year is around Coatzacoalcos. The driest region is near La Paz.

Data basis and methodology

The data from the individual measuring stations are based on the archives of the German Weather Service, individual values averaged and supplemented by own elements. In order to determine a representative national average, average values were first calculated for each part of the country, which were then summarized at the national level. Thus, if a disproportionate number of weather stations are located in a small area, their number does not affect the national average. There are 81 stations in Mexico itself. In 12 cases, neighboring but nearby weather stations were also used to obtain more accurate values.