Playa del Carmen Faces Extreme Temperature Records Due to Climate Change

PLAYA DEL CARMEN, Quintana Roo — Temperatures below 10 degrees Celsius during January, as well as records above 38 degrees during hot seasons, could establish new historical records in Playa del Carmen as a direct consequence of climate change, warned municipal meteorologist Antonio Morales Ocaña.

The specialist noted that in recent years extreme marks have already occurred both on the low and high ends, so it is not ruled out that these new records could be established in the short term. He also indicated that during the rainy season, risk factors associated with low-pressure systems, such as tropical cyclones or troughs, could occur.

In the historical record, Morales Ocaña explained that the National Water Commission (Conagua) has documented a minimum temperature of 10 degrees Celsius for the region.

The meteorologist added that in the last 10 years, annual records for high temperatures have been established and warned that this trend will not stop in 2026. In that sense, he predicted that temperatures could exceed 38 degrees Celsius, with heat indices reaching up to 52 degrees.

Finally, regarding the hurricane season, he indicated that there is uncertainty among specialized agencies, since in 2025 none managed to provide an accurate forecast. He noted that it will be through the use of artificial intelligence that more accurate predictions will be generated, as it is the tool that came closest to the actual number of meteorological phenomena recorded.