Severe winter conditions in the Citlaltepetl-Cofre de Perote mountain range, 2021-2022

Abstract

The central border that divides the states of Puebla and Veracruz is characterized by being the highest territorial limit in Mexico; it is composed of three of the highest mountains in the country. This border reaches a length of 100 km, forming a watershed that continuously exceeds 3000 m in altitude. Due to its elevation, winter freezing conditions are frequent; however, due to changing climate patterns, in recent winter seasons, severe frosts and snowfalls have occurred at elevations well below the main peaks, affecting the health of thousands of vulnerable residents of both states surrounding this mountain range. Because the 2021-2022 winter season was one of the most intense in all North America, with severe impacts in Mexico as a result of freezing temperatures and snowfall, this work analyzes the winter conditions in 2021-2022 through the monitoring of frontal systems and the analysis of data from automatic meteorological stations near the study area. From the records, the lower limit of surface freezing was estimated for each arrival of cold air masses; the occurrence of snowfall was determined by remote sensing, and the area of snow cover was also calculated. At the same time, the population affected by freezing weather conditions was estimated. The surface freezing starts at elevations as low as 2259 m, covering an area of up to 2949 km2, which corresponds to the entire study region, affecting 139 towns in Veracruz and 163 in Puebla.