Winter Storm, Cold Front Chill Much of Mexico

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Winter Storm, Cold Front Chill Much of Mexico MEXICO CITY – The sixth winter storm and a cold front continue to affect Mexico, with the possibility of rains and low temperatures over a large part of the country, the National Meteorological System (SMN) said Saturday. In its bulletin at 11:00 a.m. local time, the SMN said the storm hit the west coast of Baja California and, interacting with the abundant humidity entering from the Pacific Ocean, will maintain its potential for heavy rains of up to 50 millimeters (2 inches) in Baja California Sur, and with less intensity in the states of Baja California, Sonora and Sinaloa. It will also bring sleet and snow to Durango and Chihuahua, as well as winds of 30 to 45 kph (19 to 28 mph) over the Sea of Cortez. Meanwhile, the cold front will continue to cover the Gulf of Mexico and the eastern part of the country, maintaining chilling temperatures in the higher parts of the northern, northeastern, eastern and central regions, with temperatures below -5 C (-23 F) and possible snow in Chihuahua and Durango. Temperatures of -5 to 0 C (-23 to 32 F) are forecast for Sonora, Zacatecas, Aguascalientes, Hidalgo, Puebla, Mexico State and Tlaxcala, and from 0 to 5 C (32 to 41 F) in San Luis Potosi, Guanajuato, Queretaro, Jalisco, Michoacan and the mountainous areas of Veracruz and Oaxaca, with the possibility of frost at the higher altitudes. The cold front will also bring winds of up to 50 kph (31 mph) over the coast of Campeche and up to 70 kph (43 mph) on the Isthmus and Gulf of Tehuantepec. Humidity from the Pacific Ocean and Gulf of Mexico will keep the skies overcast and will bring from 25 to 50 millimeters (1 to 2 inches) of rain in Nayarit, Jalisco and Colima. Less than 25 millimeters (1 inch) of lighter rain is expected in Michoacan, Aguascalientes, Zacatecas, Coahuila, Nuevo Leon, San Luis Potosi, Tamaulipas, Guerrero, Oaxaca, Chiapas, Veracruz, Tabasco, Puebla, Guanajuato, Hidalgo, Queretaro, Morelos, Tlaxcala, Mexico State, the Federal District and Quintana Roo. Due to the forecast of low temperatures in some parts of the country, the SMN recommends that people dress warmly and take special care of children, seniors and the infirm.