Overview
- Mexican forecasts point to a canícula in mid‑July through late August that could run longer and more intense than usual this year.
- Heat is expected to top 37°C across wide areas, with peaks near or above 45°C in parts of the northeast, the Gulf coast and the southeast, including states such as Veracruz, Tamaulipas, Nuevo León, Yucatán, Chiapas and Oaxaca.
- The canícula brings fewer rains and clearer skies because easterly trade winds limit cloud formation over nearby seas, which boosts solar heating at the surface.
- Health risks include dehydration and heat stroke, and sustained dryness can strain city water systems, damage crops and raise fire danger in vulnerable regions.
- Authorities urge simple steps to cut risk: drink water often, avoid direct sun from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., wear light clothing, use sunscreen and check on children, older adults and people with chronic illness.