On May 17, 2025, Coahuila and Chiapas brace for heavy downpours and possible flooding, even as a blistering heat wave bakes much of Mexico under soaring temperatures and fierce winds.
A tale of two extremes unfolds over Mexico today. In the northeast, Coahuila girds for heavy showers that could swell rivers and send water racing through streets. Down south, Chiapas too confronts drenching rains—up to 50 mm are possible—raising the risk of flash flooding and even mudslides in steeper terrain.
Meanwhile, a vast heat dome parked over the country refuses to budge. From Sinaloa’s sunbaked beaches to the high plains of Zacatecas, thermometers will blaze well past 40 °C in many states. Even Mexico City won’t escape: highs near 32 °C and a pounding midday sun will remind city-dwellers that the heat wave shows no mercy.
Meteorologists point to a stubborn anticyclonic circulation aloft for the sizzling temperatures. At the same time, a dry line slicing through Coahuila, coupled with howling polar and subtropical jet streams, fuels the electric storms and hail risks in the north. Winds could whip to 80 km/h across Baja California and Sonora, tossing dust into the air and fanning wildfires in parched areas.
What to expect today:
- Heavy rain (25–50 mm): Coahuila, Chiapas. Watch for flooded roads and landslides.
- Showers (5–25 mm): Nuevo León, San Luis Potosí, Jalisco, State of Mexico, Mexico City, Morelos, Puebla, Michoacán, Guerrero, Oaxaca.
- Scattered drizzles (0.1–5 mm): Baja California, Durango, Zacatecas, Aguascalientes, Tamaulipas, Guanajuato, Querétaro, Hidalgo, Tlaxcala, Veracruz, Quintana Roo.
Scorching highs: 40–45 °C will grip Sinaloa, Nayarit, Jalisco, Michoacán, Guerrero, Durango, Coahuila, Nuevo León, Tamaulipas, San Luis Potosí, Morelos, Veracruz, Oaxaca, Chiapas, Tabasco, Campeche and Yucatán. Many others will still bake at 35–40 °C.
Cold snap in the mountains: Frost is no joke in the heights of Baja California and Durango, where lows could dip to –5 °C. Sierra communities in Sonora, Chihuahua, the State of Mexico and Puebla will see near-freezing mornings.
Region highlights:
- Valley of Mexico: Scattered morning clouds give way to afternoon thunderstorms with lightning and small hail. Winds gust to 50 km/h. Dress in layers; carry an umbrella.
- Baja California Peninsula: Dust storms and gusts up to 80 km/h will batter the coast. Wave heights of 1.5–2.5 m make seas rough—boaters, beware.
- Gulf and Pacific coasts: Expect southerly gusts over 70 km/h and choppy seas. Swimmers and small-craft operators should stay alert.
- Yucatán and South Pacific: Heat wave persists, but isolated clouds won’t bring much relief.
Stay hydrated. Secure loose outdoor items. Keep an eye on local alerts as this volatile weather pattern unfolds.