The arid zones of Mexico: climatic extremes and conceptualization of the Sonoran Desert

Abstract

Arid and semi-arid climates occupy more than half (52%) of Mexico's national territory. Although this in itself presents substantial problems for land-use development, some of the hottest (57°C) and driest conditions (≤32 mm/year) found anywhere have occurred in the arid zones of Mexico. Also, and perhaps surprisingly, the lowest official temperature (–20°C) in Mexico was recorded in the Chihuahuan Desert. Close examination of the climatic data indicates that caution is in order particularly pertaining to maximum temperature extremes. In order to establish relatively firm boundaries for the Sonoran Desert, climatic data from more than 250 weather stations were utilized to delineate this arid zone based upon the de Martonne Aridity Index. In addition, 17 conceptualizations (12 presented here) of the Sonoran Desert were mapped at the same scale to determine their relevance and consistency.