A heat dome led to record-high temperatures and expanding drought conditions in Mexico and is now forecast to expand northward. AccuWeather says the dome will bring higher temperatures to parts of the Southwestern and Central United States in the coming weeks.
Meteorologists say 82 percent of Mexico was experiencing conditions ranging from abnormally dry to exceptional drought as of May 1. Almost 12 percent of Mexico was impacted by the harshest drought category. Records show this has been the worst drought for most of Mexico since 2011 when only four percent of the country wasn’t experiencing abnormally dry or drought conditions. With no significant moisture to help reduce the sun’s rays, the same drought has helped boost temperatures to record levels.
The highest temp recorded in Mexico this year has been 124 degrees at Galinas on May 9. That’s less than two degrees from the all-time high of 125.6 degrees Fahrenheit.