The climate of Tamaulipas, state of Mexico, is predominantly warm of the sub-humid type due to the coastal location of its territory: it is located very close to the Gulf of Mexico.
The climate in this state varies according to the region: it ranges from extremely dry to extremely humid.
In the central, north and southwest regions of the state, 38% of the territory has a predominantly dry and semi-dry climate.
Towards the southwest region, 2% of the territory has a temperate sub-humid climate, and an additional 2% is associated with a warm humid climate.
The average annual temperature is about 23.5 ° C. The state has a maximum temperature of 22 ° C on average between the months of June and August, and an average minimum temperature of 10 ° C.
You may also be interested in the flora and fauna of Tamaulipas.
Main features
Studies based on meteorological records show that Tamaulipas has historically been exposed to extreme variations in climate, with severe droughts and serious floods that occur very frequently.
The rains are very irregular and scarce during most of the year in this region. According to official statistics, Tamaulipas has an average annual rainfall of 780 mm. The rainiest period is during the summer, between the months of June and October.
This time of greater rainfall is usually interrupted by an interestival drought called canicula, which occurs from July 14 to August 24. During this period temperatures of up to 44 ° C have been recorded.
Occasional frosts have also occurred throughout the region, with temperatures as low as -6 ° C between the months of November and February.
The territory of the state is crossed by the Tropic of Cancer to the south of Ciudad Victoria, its capital. This makes the region divided into two very well defined climatic zones.
To the north is the transition zone between the temperate and tropical regions, with warm semi-dry and humid climates. And to the south is the humid climate typical of the tropical zone.
Factors that regulate the climate in Tamaulipas
Physical factors
Among the physical factors are its geographical location very close to the Gulf of Mexico, which impacts the climate of much of its territory.
Its orography also stands out, made up of the Sierra Madre Oriental, the Sierra Chiquita or Sierra de San Carlos and the Sierra de Tamaulipas.
To the east are the coastal plains, and to the southeast is the Tamaulipas plateau with a temperate-dry and semi-arid climate.
Seasonal factors
Among these factors, the influence of tropical storms and cold fronts coming from the north stand out, which are precisely called "nortes".
These cold air currents occur between the months of November and January of each year, with winds whose speeds range between 15 and 150 km per hour in a north-south direction.
These currents, when they are not accompanied by light rainfall, are responsible for droughts in the soils.
Other prevailing winds in this region occur between January and May, in an east-west direction, with speeds ranging between 18 and 37 kilometers per hour.
Both physical and seasonal factors are decisive in the variations of the climate that the region presents.
Likewise, the territory registers an average evaporation of 1395 mm, with higher values in the western region.
References
- Andrade, Elizabeth and others: The agricultural region of northern Tamaulipas (PDF). Editum, 2010. Retrieved on November 8, 2017 from books.google.co.ve
- Prieto, Alejandro: History, geography and statistics of the state of Tamaulipas. México, 1873. Recovered from books.google.co.ve
- Weather. Consulted from Cuentame.inegi.org.mx
- Tamaulipas. Consulted of es.wikipedia.org
- García López, Yahir G: Economic Geography of Mexico. Grupo Editorial Patria, 2014. Recovered from books.google.co.ve
- Weather in Tamaulipas State today. Recovered from clima.com