Mexico braces for heavy rains and extreme heat as tropical wave 21 moves inland

The Servicio Meteorológico Nacional (SMN) and regional weather agencies warn that tropical wave 21, combined with the Mexican monsoon and several low‑pressure systems, will bring strong to very strong rains to most of Mexico on July 24‑26, 2026. Heavy precipitation is expected in Yucatán, Campeche, Quintana Roo, Veracruz, Sinaloa, Durango, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo León, Jalisco, Michoacán, Colima, Nayarit, Baja California and Sonora, with some areas forecast to receive 75‑150 mm. The storms may be accompanied by lightning, strong gusts of 40‑70 km/h, hail and the risk of flash flooding, landslides and reduced road visibility.

At the same time, an intense heat wave persists in north‑western states. Baja California recorded the highest number of heat‑related deaths in the country, with 12 fatalities, while temperatures above 40 °C are expected in Baja California, Sonora, Sinaloa and parts of the interior. Authorities have issued heat‑precaution alerts, urging the public to stay hydrated, avoid prolonged sun exposure and limit outdoor activity during the peak heat hours.

Civil protection agencies across affected states have issued advisories to monitor official notices, secure loose objects, and ensure vulnerable groups receive special care. The broad combination of heavy rain and extreme heat is expected to impact millions of residents and could cause significant disruptions to transport and agriculture.