A blistering heat wave set to push daytime highs beyond 40 °C across much of Mexico today prompts health and safety warnings from CONAGUA and Civil Protection authorities.
Mexico is bracing for an intense heat wave today as daytime temperatures climb to dangerous levels across at least 17 states, according to the National Water Commission (CONAGUA). In southern Sonora, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo León, Tamaulipas, San Luis Potosí and several other regions, thermometers are expected to register between 40 °C and 45 °C, posing serious risks to public health, transportation, and local ecosystems.
Authorities are urging residents to minimize outdoor activities during peak afternoon hours, wear light-colored, loose-fitting clothing, and maintain adequate hydration. “This is one of the most extensive heat events of the season,” said a spokesman for CONAGUA. “Vulnerable groups—children, the elderly and those with chronic illnesses—should take extra precautions.”
In central Mexico, including the Valley of Mexico and the State of Mexico, temperatures will be slightly more moderate but still high, with forecasts of 30 °C to 35 °C in Mexico City. Despite being two to five degrees cooler than the worst-hit regions, the persistent high humidity will exacerbate heat stress in the capital and its surrounding municipalities.
Scattered showers and isolated rains will temper the heat in parts of Puebla, Morelos, Guerrero, and Oaxaca, where precipitation of 5–25 mm is possible. However, light rains (0.1–5 mm) are only expected in Mexico City, Tlaxcala, Veracruz, and Yucatán, providing little relief from the overarching heat dome gripping the country.
A pronounced dry line over northeastern states and strong subtropical jet stream currents are contributing to gusty winds and dusty conditions. Wind speeds of 30–40 km/h with gusts up to 80 km/h are forecast in Baja California, Sonora, Chihuahua, and parts of the Gulf Coast. In central and southern regions such as Guerrero, Oaxaca, Chiapas and Quintana Roo, winds will reach 20–30 km/h, with localized gusts up to 70 km/h. Meteorologists warn that these winds could trigger dust storms in the western highlands of Mexico, reducing visibility on highways and elevating the risk of wildfires.
Coastal communities are not spared: residents along the western Baja California coast should prepare for waves of 2.5–3.5 m, while those on the Tamaulipas and Veracruz shorelines can expect surf up to 2.5 m. Mariners and coastal operators have been advised to secure vessels and monitor sea conditions closely until the weather stabilizes.
Early this morning, temperatures in the high plateaus of Baja California, Chihuahua, and Durango dipped to between –5 °C and 0 °C, with frost reported on elevated terrain. Cooler pre-dawn lows of 0 °C to 5 °C were also recorded in parts of Zacatecas, the State of Mexico, Tlaxcala, Puebla, and Veracruz, underscoring the stark contrasts in Mexico’s diverse climates.
Civil Protection agencies nationwide have activated their emergency protocols. Cooling centers are being established in major cities, and public service announcements on radio, television, and social media are disseminating guidelines on heat-related illness prevention. Hospitals in border and northern states are on alert for cases of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
“We are closely monitoring the situation,” stated the head of Mexico City’s Civil Protection. “Our goal is to ensure that anyone experiencing symptoms—dizziness, rapid heartbeat, cramps—can access immediate medical help and safe shelters.”
CONAGUA reminds the public that this heat wave is the result of a combination of meteorological factors: the lingering effects of Cold Front No. 43 in the northwest, moisture influxes from the Pacific and Gulf of Mexico, and an expansive mid-level anticyclonic circulation. These systems have created a stable, high-pressure regime that traps hot air near the surface.
With climate change contributing to more frequent and intense heat waves, experts are calling for long-term strategies to protect vulnerable populations and adapt infrastructure. Proposals include expanding green spaces in urban areas, retrofitting buildings for better heat insulation, and reinforcing early-warning systems for extreme weather.
For real-time updates and detailed municipality-level forecasts, users can consult CONAGUA’s website, the National Meteorological Service portal, or follow official social channels on X (@conagua_mx, @conagua_clima) and Facebook. The ConaguaClima mobile app also offers personalized alerts and safety recommendations.
