12 Dec 2017 | 10:27 PM UTC
Mexico: Extreme weather leaves at least nine dead in Mexico
Cold front brings snow, low temperatures, strong winds, and rain to much of Mexico since December 8, resulting in at least nine deaths; more adverse weather forecast in coming days
Event
A cold front that arrived on Friday, December 8, brought extreme weather to much of Mexico through Monday, December 11. Temperatures fell below -5°C (23°F) in the states of Chihuanhua, Durango, Zacatecas, San Luis Potosi, Hidalgo, Puebla, Tlaxcala, and the State of Mexico. Parts of Zacatecas state recorded temperatures as low as -15°C (5°F ). At least nine people have died since December 8 from hypothermia. Officials reported that over 20 cm (8 in) of snow were recorded in parts of Coahuila, Nuevo Leon, Veracruz, and Puebla states, causing massive transportation disruptions.
Additionally, high winds of 60km/h (37 mph), with gusts up to 176 km/h (109 mph) were reported in Oaxaca state on Tuesday. Heavy rainfall was also reported in Veracuz, Chiapas, and Tabasco states.
Another cold front is forecast to affect much of Mexico, beginning on the morning of Wednesday, December 13. The National Meteorological Service (SNM) predicts that low temperatures will continue to affect much of the north, northeast, center, and east of the country in the coming days.
Advice
Individuals present in affected areas are advised to follow all instructions as issued by local authorities, to monitor weather forecasts, and to anticipate transportation disruptions and potentially hazardous conditions.
