Mérida, Yucatán — The region’s rainy season kicks off with perhaps three days of scattered thunder storms.
Yucatán’s rainy season officially begins Monday, May 15. But what’s a couple of days among friends?
The coming rain would indeed be a friend if it lowered temperatures, and while forecasts don’t agree on exact numbers, a cooling is not predicted. Weekend temperatures will reach 33C/91F to 39C/109F degrees.
Rainfall, according to the National Water Commission (Conagua), will originate with tropical sea air from the Caribbean and the establishment of a trough.
The trough is located on the western portion of the Yucatán Peninsula. It brings isolated showers over the south of Yucatán.
About Yucatán’s rainy season
Rainy season doesn’t give relief from the heat right away. The Peninsula typically begins to cool in September and October, the latter part of the season — and the height of hurricane season.
Ideally, rain showers arrive and disappear quickly in the afternoon.
Those afternoon storms are caused in the interior when the sun heats the land. This solar energy dumped into a humid atmosphere creates enormous convection currents of unstable air. These currents gather strength, setting the stage for sudden rain storms.
The coast enjoys much cooler ocean air, and storms that develop inland don’t necessarily reach beach communities.
