Mexico to deploy deep-sea meteorological buoys in the Pacific

Mexico's Secretariat of the Navy (Semar) plans to deploy meteorological buoys in the Pacific Ocean by late 2026 to improve the forecasting of hurricanes and droughts. These buoys will be anchored at depths of up to 3,000 meters, allowing for the continuous measurement of variables such as water temperature in areas lacking conventional infrastructure.

In collaboration with the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) and the Center for Scientific Research and Higher Education of Ensenada (CICESE), the project aims to generate independent oceanographic data to reduce reliance on foreign information. This data will be integrated into forecasting models to better evaluate the trajectory and intensity of tropical systems and the impacts of the El Niño phenomenon.

To complement the scientific monitoring, Semar is developing an early warning system that will send mass alerts regarding hurricanes and torrential rains directly to mobile phones in high-risk zones. President Claudia Sheinbaum noted that these preventive measures are critical as El Niño could increase cyclonic activity in the Pacific through late 2026. The initiative aligns with the Apixqui project, which utilizes underwater gliders and coastal buoys to enhance extreme weather predictions.