May is the hottest month in Yucatán, but with the canícula, a broader swath of Mexico feels the heat.
The dog days of summer start in the latter part of July and lasts through August. On the Peninsula, even along the Riviera Maya, it’s already begun.
So far, Yucatán’s temps are seasonal, but along the Caribbean they will soar, reaching 38C/100F.
The annual phenomenon is attributed to earth’s angle to the sun, said Meteorologist Luis Antonio Morales Ocaña.
The National Meteorological Service reports that during this time, which normally lasts around 40 days, also triggers lower rainfall.
Heat also is associated with increased bacteria and viruses leading to respiratory problems and stomach infections.
“We must avoid consuming food on public roads in food stalls because we do not know how they treat the food, and with so much heat, everything begins to deteriorate rapidly and become contaminated,” said Morales Ocaña.
The National Meteorological Service says the states affected by the intense heat will include Nuevo León, Tamaulipas, Veracruz, Hidalgo, Tlaxcala, Puebla, State of Mexico, Morelos, Colima, Michoacán, Guerrero, Oaxaca, Tabasco, Chiapas, Campeche, Yucatán and Quintana Roo.
Source: Conagua
