Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco – Amidst a new heat wave sweeping across much of Mexico, Puerto Vallarta and neighboring municipalities are grappling with abnormally dry conditions, according to the latest report from the Mexican Drought Monitor.
The report reveals that all municipalities in Jalisco are currently affected by varying degrees of drought: 35.4% are experiencing abnormally dry conditions, 27.5% are in moderate drought, 30.6% are suffering from severe drought, and 6.5% are facing extreme drought.
During the first half of May, positive precipitation anomalies were recorded in certain areas of Coahuila, Puebla, Oaxaca, Chiapas, and the border region between Tabasco and Campeche. These anomalies were generated by the movement of frontal system No. 50, low pressure channels, and dry lines interacting with the subtropical jet stream, combined with humidity from both oceans and atmospheric instability at high levels. However, these rains were insufficient to reduce the overall drought areas.
Conversely, the second heat wave, driven by an anticyclonic circulation at mid-levels of the atmosphere, created hot to very hot conditions across all regions of the country. This phenomenon increased the areas experiencing extreme to exceptional drought (D3 to D4) in the northeast, central, and western parts of Mexico. Severe drought (D2) expanded in Oaxaca, southern Veracruz, Chiapas, and Tabasco, with the latter also experiencing extreme drought (D3). Meanwhile, moderate drought (D1) intensified in Chiapas and the Yucatan Peninsula.
As of mid-May 2024, 70.76% of Mexico’s territory was affected by moderate to exceptional drought (D1 to D4), marking a 2.79% increase from the end of April 2024.
In Puerto Vallarta and neighboring municipalities, the situation has worsened since the previous report, which did not indicate abnormally dry conditions. Forecasts predict a continued negative trend, with minimal rainfall expected in June and the usually abundant rains of July and August potentially falling short.
Meteorologist Víctor Manuel Cornejo López reported that the prevailing weather system remains the high-pressure anticyclonic system centered over the western states, promoting clear skies, dry conditions, and high temperatures. Rainfall is expected to diminish further.
Adding to the concerns, tropical wave number 1 is associated with a low-pressure center, forming a tropical disturbance near the Gulf of Tehuantepec. Although it currently has only a 20% chance of cyclonic development over the next five days, minimum temperatures in the region continue to rise.
The ongoing drought and heat wave pose significant challenges for Puerto Vallarta and surrounding municipalities, emphasizing the need for continued monitoring and preparedness as the region braces for potentially severe weather conditions in the coming months.
