Tropical Wave 26 brings heavy rain and extreme heat to Quintana Roo on August 13
State Civil Protection forecasts downpours with lightning and coastal wind gusts; the Caribbean has no active cyclones and Tropical Storm Cristóbal is moving away in the Atlantic.
Quintana Roo's State Civil Protection agency warned that on Thursday, August 13, Tropical Wave No. 26 is moving across the Yucatán Peninsula and, combined with moisture flowing in from the Caribbean Sea, will keep skies partly cloudy to cloudy with heavy rain, isolated very heavy downpours and lightning throughout the day.
According to the agency and the National Weather Service forecast, rainfall could total between 50 and 75 millimeters, mainly in the south of the state, while the coast can expect wind gusts of 30 to 50 kilometers per hour. Conditions will stay hot to very hot, a factor that in August has pushed the heat index to very high levels in the northern part of the state.
Civil Protection stressed that there is no active tropical cyclone over the Caribbean Sea. Another tropical wave sits farther east, with its axis between the Dominican Republic and northeastern Colombia, moving west without posing a direct threat to the peninsula for now. Separately, the National Weather Service reported that Tropical Storm Cristóbal formed in the Atlantic thousands of kilometers east-northeast of Cancún, is drifting away from Mexico and is expected to weaken, so it will not affect the country.
What to do if you live in Cancún. During thunderstorms, avoid crossing flooded streets or intersections —water can hide open drains or potholes— and do not shelter under trees, billboards or utility poles. Remove loose objects and pots from balconies because of the wind gusts. Drive with your headlights on and increase your braking distance. Because of the heat, stay hydrated, avoid sun exposure between noon and 4 p.m., and keep an eye on children and older adults. Report any emergency or dangerous flooding to 911 or to Benito Juárez municipal Civil Protection. It is worth checking the official forecast before heading out, since this season's tropical waves can change intensity within hours.
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State Civil Protection forecasts a heat index of 45 °C in the northern zone, with 25 to 50 mm of rain, lightning and coastal wind gusts up to 40 km/h.