The typical weather of Mexico
varies as you move north toward the United States,
West toward to Pacific Ocean, East toward the Caribbean
and South toward the Equator. It is these factors that affect the climate as
well as varying elevations across the country. Mexico, lying in the middle of
Central America and above South America is the most populated Spanish speaking
country in the world- home to approximately 108,700,900 people 19,231,800 of
these living in and around Mexico City, this country is a country which has a
lot to see and experience.
Mexico City
Mexico City, the country's
capital, lies in the centre of southern Mexico. Mexico City is home to a temperate "high
land" climate, which results from its tropical location and its relatively
high elevation. The south region of greater Mexico City sits at higher altitudes; as a
result this part of the city receives greater rainfall and sees a wider range
in daily temperatures. As you move downward into the valley rainfall decreases
and conditions in winter are warmer. In Mexico City the average annual temperature varies from
approximately 12°C to 16°C, depending primarily on elevation. Winter falls from
December to February and this is when the lowest temperatures are experiences,
reaching as low as -5°C. These chilly climates will often be accompanied by
clouds of mist and trivial snow showers. However, in late spring and throughout
summer the city swelters through maximum temperatures up to and above 30°C. This
part of Mexico
sees most of its precipitation concentrated into the summer months. As Mexico City lies at a high
altitude, tourists to the city may take a few days to adjust to the lower
atmospheric pressure as sudden exertion of energy can often lead to loss of
breath, so keep this in mind when visiting and don't panic if you feel slightly
off.
Acapulco
On the south west coast of Mexico
you will find the port city of Acapulco,
which is located upon a deep, semi-circular bay. Acapulco was built on a narrow strip of low
lying ground between the coast and the vast mountain range encircles the bay to
the north and to the east. Access to Acapulco from inland Mexico is through a two kilometre
tunnel through the mountains, constructed in the 1990s. A passage (Abra de San
Nicolas) was constructed through the mountains that allow cooling sea breezes
to reach the city. In Acapulco
you will find a tropical climate that remains warm year round. Rainfall occurs
mainly in the months of June to August, while "winter" (December-
February) is most dry and with plenty of sunshine.
Climatic regions
The Tropic of Cancer effectively
divides Mexico
into temperate and tropical zones.
North and South
In the north of Mexico
you will experience cooler temperatures, mainly because you are moving out of
the tropics but also because Northern Mexico is greatly affected by the
presence of the United
States to its north. When the cold arctic
air flows down from the very north of Canada
areas of Northern Mexico can get very cold,
particularly during the winter months. South of the Tropic of Cancer conditions
become increasingly tropical and there isn't a huge range in temperatures
across the year. Temperatures will differ generally due to the vast alteration
of elevation.
East and West
On the west coast of Mexico
temperatures are lower than on the east coast and interior and rainfall is also
decreased. This is due to the influence of the cool California Current that
sweeps through this division of the Pacific Ocean.
When you combine this with the North Pacific Anti cyclone which affects this
region also, you will understand why the North West of Mexico can be somewhat
desert like. The Baja California peninsula however, and the popular tourist
spot of Cabo San Lucas, plays host to a more Mediterranean climate, not too
dissimilar to that witnessed in southern California. On the east coast of Mexico you will find much more enjoyable weather
conditions, which closely resemble the tropical conditions of the Caribbean. Conditions change as you head much further
south and also east to west. Look at seasonal averages for Puerto Vallarta and compare them to the conditions in Cancun for a good understanding of the vast differences.
Beaches
If wanting to visit for a beach side resort holiday then the best spot for
you would be Cancun, which is on the East coast of Mexico,
nearing the Caribbean on the Yucatan Peninsula
which juts into the Gulf of Mexico. Cancun plays host to a typical tropical climate that has
a wet and dry season, and can be subject to tropical storms from August to
October.
Tropical Storms
The east and west coasts of Mexico
are both occasionally affected by tropical storms that have developed in the
Pacific or more commonly in the Caribbean.
These tropical storms consist of two or three days of heavy rain, however the
rain will rarely last for longer than this and you will be sure to meet with
warm sunny conditions in the aftermath. These tropical storms are most likely
to occur in the months of August to October, so if this is of concern to you
than plan your trip outside these months. The east coast is more prone to
hurricanes than the west.
On the whole most of Mexico has sunny weather for the
large majority of the year. The wetter parts of the east coast and the northern
part of the Pacific coast are generally the cloudiest parts, as low cloud and
fog are formed over the cold Californian
Ocean current. In the
interior the land is much drier and witnesses a lot of daily sunshine - as much
as seven or eight hours a day in the drier months to five or six during the
wetter season.
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