Cold Front 18 will impact Mexico from December 5 to 8, 2025, with possible snow in the north, intense winds in the Gulf, and rains across regions. The National Meteorological Service forecasts thermal contrasts, from sub-zero temperatures to over 33°C in the southeast. Mobility disruptions are expected due to snow, winds, and high waves.
The National Meteorological Service (SMN) reported that Cold Front 18, interacting with a polar trough and an atmospheric river, will significantly alter weather conditions in Mexico from December 5 to 8, 2025. Possible snow or sleet is expected in the sierras of Sonora, Chihuahua, Durango, and Sinaloa, particularly during the early morning and morning of Saturday, December 6. These areas will see sub-zero temperatures and frosts in high altiplano regions.
One of the most notable events is the very strong “Norte” winds, with gusts of 90 to 110 km/h in Tamaulipas, Veracruz, and the Isthmus of Tehuantepec from Sunday, December 7, to Tuesday, December 9. This will cause high waves along the Gulf of Mexico coasts, reduced visibility from fog, and potential disruptions to maritime navigation, road crossings, and port operations.
In the Pacific, from Nayarit to Michoacán, moderate to heavy rains are forecast. Central Mexico will experience cold mornings and isolated showers, especially from Sunday to Monday. In Mexico City, temperatures will range from 8 to 11°C in the morning and highs around 20°C, with lows of 11°C and highs of 23°C on Friday, December 5, and cold conditions in early Saturday mornings.
The Gulf, southeast, and Yucatan Peninsula will face heavy rains, increased humidity, and temperatures over 33°C in Campeche, Yucatan, and Quintana Roo. Heavy rains are expected in Baja California Sur, Sinaloa, and Durango, with intervals of showers in states including Sonora, Coahuila, Chihuahua, Nuevo Leon, Tamaulipas, San Luis Potosi, Zacatecas, Nayarit, Jalisco, Guerrero, State of Mexico, Puebla, Veracruz, Oaxaca, Chiapas, and Quintana Roo. Isolated rains will occur in Colima, Michoacan, Aguascalientes, Guanajuato, Queretaro, Hidalgo, Mexico City, Morelos, Tlaxcala, Sierra Norte de Puebla, Tabasco, Campeche, and Yucatan.
Frosts from -10 to -5°C are anticipated in the sierras of Chihuahua and Durango, and from -5 to 0°C in Baja California, Sonora, State of Mexico, Tlaxcala, and Puebla. Temperatures of 0 to 5°C will affect sierras in Coahuila, Nuevo Leon, San Luis Potosi, Zacatecas, Aguascalientes, Jalisco, Michoacan, Guanajuato, Queretaro, Hidalgo, Veracruz, and Oaxaca. In contrast, Guerrero, Oaxaca, Isthmus of Chiapas, Campeche, and Yucatan will reach 35 to 40°C, while Sinaloa, Nayarit, Jalisco, Colima, Michoacan, Tabasco, and Quintana Roo will see 30 to 35°C.
The SMN advises following Civil Protection alerts, particularly in mountainous and coastal areas, due to potential impacts on land, air, and sea transport from snow, winds, and cloud cover.