Mexico spans latitudes from 14°32'N at the Guatemala border to 32°43'N near Tijuana, creating distinct climate zones governed by latitude, altitude, and proximity to the Pacific Ocean or Gulf of Mexico. The Tropic of Cancer bisects the country at approximately 23°26'N, crossing through Mazatlán, Durango, and Tampico. Altitude creates parallel climate systems: coastal plains experience tropical or desert conditions while the central plateau, averaging 1800-2400 meters, maintains temperate weather year-round. The Sierra Madre Occidental, Sierra Madre Oriental, and Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt block moisture movement, creating rain shadows and microclimates separated by mountain ridges.
Mexico City sits at 2240 meters elevation in the Valley of Mexico, surrounded by mountains exceeding 4000 meters. January daytime temperatures reach 21-23°C with nighttime lows of 6-8°C. February brings identical patterns with minimal rainfall. March marks the warmest dry month, with afternoon temperatures climbing to 26-27°C before the rainy season. April and May constitute the hottest period, with temperatures reaching 27-29°C and humidity levels below 30 percent creating dusty haze across the valley. The rainy season begins in late May or early June, with afternoon thunderstorms arriving between 1400-1700 hours. June through September delivers 70-80 percent of annual precipitation, totaling approximately 600-700mm in the southern delegations and 500-600mm in northern areas. July typically records the highest rainfall with 160-180mm. August continues the pattern with afternoon storms cooling temperatures to 22-24°C daytime and 12-13°C at night. September rainfall diminishes slightly to 130-150mm. October marks the transition to dry season with 50-70mm of rain concentrated in early weeks. November returns to dry conditions with 10-15mm total precipitation and temperatures of 22-24°C daytime, 8-10°C nighttime. December mirrors November with clear skies and occasional frost in outlying areas.
Guadalajara sits at 1566 meters in Jalisco, experiencing similar seasonal patterns with warmer temperatures than Mexico City. January daytime temperatures reach 24-26°C with nighttime lows of 8-10°C. February through April constitutes the dry season with less than 10mm monthly rainfall and temperatures climbing from 27°C in February to 31°C in May. The rainy season begins in June with 190-210mm precipitation, primarily afternoon thunderstorms. July receives 250-270mm, the highest monthly total. August delivers 220-240mm while September records 180-200mm. October transitions with 60-80mm. November through December return to dry conditions with daytime temperatures of 26-28°C and nighttime lows of 10-12°C.
Monterrey sits at 540 meters in Nuevo León against the Sierra Madre Oriental, creating a semi-arid climate with hot summers and mild winters. January temperatures range from daytime highs of 20-22°C to nighttime lows of 8-10°C with less than 15mm rainfall. February through April remain dry with temperatures climbing from 24°C to 30°C by April. May reaches 33-35°C with occasional pre-monsoon showers totaling 40-50mm. June through September constitutes the rainy season, though rainfall remains modest compared to southern regions. June receives 60-70mm, July 50-60mm, August 70-80mm, and September 120-140mm, the annual peak when tropical moisture penetrates from the Gulf of Mexico. October records 70-80mm as rainfall diminishes. November and December return to dry conditions with 20-30mm monthly totals and temperatures of 23-25°C daytime, 10-12°C nighttime.
Puebla sits at 2135 meters southeast of Mexico City, receiving similar rainfall patterns but slightly warmer temperatures due to lower latitude. January records 7-9mm rainfall with temperatures of 22-24°C daytime and 5-7°C nighttime. February through April remain dry with temperatures climbing to 27-28°C by April and afternoon humidity below 25 percent. May initiates the rainy season with 60-80mm. June through September delivers the annual precipitation total of approximately 650-750mm. June records 140-160mm, July 130-150mm, August 150-170mm, and September 160-180mm. October receives 60-70mm as storms diminish. November and December return to dry conditions with 10-15mm monthly totals and daytime temperatures of 21-23°C.
The Yucatán Peninsula encompasses Quintana Roo, Yucatán state, and portions of Campeche, forming a low limestone platform rarely exceeding 200 meters elevation. This geography creates uniform tropical conditions modified by Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico influences. Cancún experiences January temperatures of 28-29°C daytime and 21-22°C nighttime with 60-80mm rainfall. February records the driest conditions with 40-50mm and identical temperatures. March initiates gradual warming to 30-31°C with 30-40mm precipitation. April and May constitute the hottest period with temperatures reaching 32-33°C and humidity climbing above 70 percent. May receives 90-110mm as early storms arrive. June through October defines the rainy season and hurricane period. June records 130-150mm, July 100-120mm, August 120-140mm, September 160-180mm, and October 180-200mm as tropical systems track through the Caribbean. The Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30, with peak activity from mid-August through mid-October. Major hurricanes have struck Cancún in October 1988 (Hurricane Gilbert), September 2005 (Hurricane Wilma), and October 2020 (Hurricane Delta). November rainfall drops to 80-100mm with temperatures of 29-30°C. December receives 70-80mm with temperatures of 28-29°C daytime and 21-22°C nighttime.
Mérida sits 90 kilometers inland from the Gulf of Mexico coast at 9 meters elevation in Yucatán state. January temperatures reach 29-30°C daytime and 19-20°C nighttime with 40-50mm rainfall. February records 30-40mm with temperatures of 31-32°C. March through May constitutes the hot dry season with April reaching 35-36°C and humidity creating heat index values above 40°C. May receives 70-90mm as early storms arrive. June through October delivers 80-85 percent of annual precipitation totaling approximately 1000-1100mm. June records 120-140mm, July 100-120mm, August 110-130mm, September 140-160mm, and October 100-120mm. Unlike coastal Quintana Roo, Mérida experiences fewer direct hurricane impacts but receives heavy rainfall from systems crossing the peninsula. November receives 50-60mm as rainfall diminishes. December records 40-50mm with temperatures of 29-30°C daytime and 19-20°C nighttime.
Tulum and Playa del Carmen on the Caribbean coast experience nearly identical patterns to Cancún with slight temperature variations. Tulum records January temperatures of 27-28°C daytime and 20-21°C nighttime with 70-90mm rainfall. The coastal location moderates extreme heat, with May temperatures reaching 31-32°C compared to 35-36°C inland. September and October bring peak rainfall of 170-190mm and 190-210mm respectively, coinciding with peak hurricane risk. The 2005 hurricane season damaged Tulum significantly when Hurricane Wilma stalled offshore for 40 hours from October 21-23, producing sustained winds of 240 km/h.
Oaxaca City sits at 1550 meters in the Sierra Madre del Sur, creating a subtropical highland climate with distinct wet and dry seasons. January temperatures reach 27-28°C daytime and 9-10°C nighttime with less than 5mm rainfall. February through April remain intensely dry with less than 10mm monthly totals and temperatures climbing to 30-31°C by April. May initiates the rainy season with 50-70mm. June through September delivers 70-75 percent of annual precipitation totaling approximately 650-700mm. June records 110-130mm, July 90-110mm, August 110-130mm, and September 120-140mm. Unlike central Mexico where afternoon thunderstorms dominate, Oaxaca receives sustained rainfall from Pacific moisture crossing the coastal plain. October receives 60-70mm as rainfall diminishes. November records 10-15mm marking the return to dry conditions. December receives less than 5mm with temperatures of 27-28°C daytime and 8-9°C nighttime.
The Oaxaca coast including Puerto Escondido and Huatulco experiences tropical conditions with high humidity year-round. Puerto Escondido at sea level records January temperatures of 30-31°C daytime and 22-23°C nighttime with 10-15mm rainfall. February through April remain dry with temperatures of 31-33°C and relative humidity above 70 percent creating muggy conditions. May receives 20-30mm as early storms arrive. June through October constitutes the rainy season with Pacific hurricanes and tropical waves bringing heavy precipitation. June records 200-220mm, July 180-200mm, August 180-200mm, September 240-260mm, and October 150-170mm. September represents the wettest month when Pacific hurricane activity peaks. Eastern Pacific hurricane season runs May 15 through November 30, with systems occasionally making landfall along the Oaxaca coast. November receives 40-50mm as rainfall diminishes. December records 15-20mm with temperatures of 30-31°C.
San Cristóbal de las Casas sits at 2200 meters in the Chiapas highlands, creating cool temperatures unusual for its 16°N latitude. January temperatures reach only 18-19°C daytime with nighttime lows of 5-6°C and occasional frost. Fog frequently blankets the valley during dry season mornings. February through April warm gradually to 23-24°C daytime while maintaining nighttime lows of 8-10°C. May initiates the rainy season with 120-140mm. June through September delivers intense precipitation totaling approximately 900-1000mm for these four months. June records 210-230mm, July 180-200mm, August 200-220mm, and September 220-240mm. The Sierra Madre de Chiapas forces moisture upward from the Pacific, creating orographic rainfall. October receives 140-160mm as storms diminish. November records 30-40mm with temperatures of 20-21°C. December receives 15-20mm with nighttime temperatures dropping to 5-6°C.
Palenque sits at 60 meters elevation in the Chiapas lowlands near the Usumacinta River, creating hot humid tropical conditions year-round. January temperatures reach 28-29°C daytime and 18-19°C nighttime with 80-100mm rainfall, unusual for the nominally dry season. February records 60-70mm with temperatures of 30-31°C. March through May constitute the hottest period with temperatures reaching 34-35°C and humidity above 75 percent. May receives 140-160mm as the rainy season intensifies. June through October delivers extreme precipitation totaling approximately 1800-2000mm. June records 280-300mm, July 240-260mm, August 280-300mm, September 320-340mm, and October 260-280mm. Palenque receives among the highest rainfall totals in Mexico due to its position in the Gulf coastal plain where moisture from the Gulf of Mexico encounters no mountain barrier until the interior highlands. November receives 120-140mm. December records 100-120mm with temperatures of 28-29°C, maintaining significant rainfall even during the dry season.
Veracruz sits at sea level on the Gulf of Mexico at 19°N latitude. January temperatures reach 25-26°C daytime and 18-19°C nighttime with 30-40mm rainfall. February through April warm gradually to 29-30°C with rainfall remaining below 20mm monthly. May receives 70-90mm as early storms arrive. June through September constitutes the primary rainy season when Gulf moisture and occasional tropical systems bring heavy precipitation. June records 240-260mm, July 280-300mm, August 300-320mm, and September 320-340mm. Veracruz experiences the highest rainfall totals in eastern Mexico with annual precipitation exceeding 1500mm. August and September bring peak hurricane risk from Atlantic and Gulf systems. Hurricane Karl struck Veracruz on September 17, 2010 as a Category 3 system producing 300mm rainfall in 24 hours. October receives 180-200mm as tropical activity diminishes. November through December record 60-80mm monthly with strong norte winds beginning in October. Nortes are cold fronts penetrating from North America that bring sustained north winds of 40-60 km/h, rough seas, and temperature drops of 8-10°C lasting 2-4 days. Norte season runs October through March with peak frequency December through February.
The Huasteca Potosina in eastern San Luis Potosí state experiences transitional climate between arid interior and humid Gulf coast. Cities including Ciudad Valles sit at 50-100 meters elevation. January temperatures reach 26-27°C daytime and 15-16°C nighttime with 20-30mm rainfall. February through April warm to 32-33°C with less than 20mm monthly precipitation. May receives 70-90mm as moisture arrives from the Gulf. June through September brings 60-70 percent of annual precipitation totaling approximately 1000-1100mm. June records 160-180mm, July 180-200mm, August 200-220mm, and September 240-260mm when Gulf tropical systems track inland. October receives 120-140mm. November and December record 40-50mm monthly with temperatures of 27-28°C daytime and occasional norte outbreaks dropping nighttime temperatures to 10-12°C.
Puerto Vallarta sits on the Pacific coast in Jalisco state at 20°N latitude. January temperatures reach 28-29°C daytime and 17-18°C nighttime with 20-30mm rainfall. February through April remain dry with less than 10mm monthly totals and temperatures climbing to 30-31°C by April. May receives 10-15mm with temperatures reaching 32-33°C and rising humidity signaling the approaching rainy season. June through October constitutes the rainy season and eastern Pacific hurricane period. June records 140-160mm, July 240-260mm, August 260-280mm, September 280-300mm, and October 120-140mm. July through September represent the wettest months when tropical waves and occasional hurricanes from the eastern Pacific bring torrential rainfall. Hurricane Kenna struck near Puerto Vallarta on October 25, 2002 as a Category 4 system with sustained winds of 230 km/h. November receives 20-30mm as rainfall ceases. December records 15-20mm with temperatures of 28-29°C daytime and 17-18°C nighttime.
Acapulco sits on the Pacific coast in Guerrero state at 17°N latitude, creating tropical conditions year-round. January temperatures reach 30-31°C daytime and 22-23°C nighttime with 5-10mm rainfall. February through April remain intensely dry with less than 5mm monthly totals and temperatures of 31-32°C. May receives 10-20mm as isolated early storms develop. June through October delivers 80-85 percent of annual precipitation totaling approximately 1300-1400mm. June records 240-260mm, July 260-280mm, August 280-300mm, September 320-340mm, and October 180-200mm. September represents the wettest month when eastern Pacific hurricane activity peaks and tropical moisture saturates the region. The Sierra Madre del Sur rises immediately inland from the coast, forcing Pacific moisture upward and creating intense orographic rainfall. Hurricane Pauline struck Acapulco on October 9, 1997 producing 400mm rainfall in 24 hours and killing over 200 people in flooding and mudslides. November receives 20-30mm as rainfall diminishes. December records 5-10mm with temperatures of 30-31°C.
The Baja California Peninsula experiences Mediterranean climate in the north transitioning to desert in the central regions and tropical conditions at the southern tip. Tijuana at 32°N latitude near the United States border records January temperatures of 18-19°C daytime and 8-9°C nighttime with 40-50mm rainfall. February through April receive moderate rainfall totaling 30-40mm monthly as Pacific storm systems track through Southern California. May through October remain almost completely dry with less than 5mm monthly totals. June through August temperatures reach 24-26°C daytime, moderated by Pacific maritime influence and afternoon fog. November and December receive 30-40mm monthly as the rainy season returns, with temperatures of 19-20°C daytime.