The Weather |
|
|
|
|
Our location in the mountains gives us rather cool weather year-round, and we really do get all four seasons in one day: the morning is cool and foggy; the midday sun is hot and blinding; clouds roll in by early afternoon accompanied by wintery winds; the evening is cold and rainy. Every day is different, but each season has a general pattern it follows; you may not find much resemblance to the weather patterns you´re used to. So here is a little guide to the seasons in Mazatepec (keep in mind that these are only general patterns! We may have hot, sunny days in the cold, wet season - and we may have wet, cold weather in the middle of the hottest, driest months).
The Seasons:
February 1 to May 30: The Dry Season
This is probably the most enjoyable time to visit; it is also when we do the majority of our work. It is generally dry and sunny, with some showers in the evenings or early mornings. Nights can still be cold, and we do get some downpours, especially at night. It is still cold and a bit foggy in February and warms up consistantly until May, our hottest, driest month. Here is an average temperature range, month by month:
February: -2 -15º Celsius (28-60º Farenheit)
March: 0-25º Celsius (32-77º Farenheit)
April: 5-28º Celsius (40-82º Farenheit)
May: 10-32º Celsius (50-90º Farenheit)
June 1 to September 30: The Rainy Season
In this season the weather patterns change month to month - below you can find the general tendencies for each month individually.
This is hurricane season all along the eastern coast of Mexico; while we don´t get anything resembling a hurricane due to our position high in the mountains, the season does tend to bring rain, rain and... rain. We´re not talking about a little drizzle! We´re talking about cats and dogs, sometimes for days - especially in July and September. The springs which had dried up during the previous season suddenly come back to life, and tiny streams turn into rapids. This is a great season to spend time with the neighbors, improve your Spanish and get to know the community - and it´s a good time to bring waterproof clothing/equipment.
June: The weather is pleasant but unpredictable; it can be hot during the day and cold in the mornings and evenings. Light showers in the morning bring rainbows as the sun peeks through the clouds; a few minutes later a heavy fog rolls through before giving way to the hot sun. The temperature rises and falls on a whim, and sudden downpours keep us on our toes. Temperatures: 5-32º Celsius (40-90º Farenheit)
July: Downpours are common, and raingear is a must. The skies open up and sometimes don´t close for days, making us feel like amphibians. Just when we think the rain will never end, the skies clear abruptly and no cloud dares to show it´s face for another ten days. In general, July is cooler than May, June or August - Temperatures: 5-28º Celsius (40-82º Farenheit)
August: The calm before the storm, August is probably the most beautiful month on the farm. Thanks to the heavy rains in July, everything is green and lush, and the warm, sunny weather seems to put everyone in a good mood. The rain, though still present, limits itself to refreshing showers in the afternoon or evening. Temperatures: 15-32º Celsius (60-90º Farenheit)
September: The hurricane season likes to go out with a bang, and September is it´s last hurrah. Cold winds and frequent rain make it clear that summer is out and winter is in, and there´s no room for discussion - though summer doesn´t give up so easily, pleasantly surprising us with beautiful days scattered throughout the month. Temperatures: 2-28º Celsius (35-82º Farenheit)
October 1 to January 31: The Time of Fog
This is when Mazatepec really lives up to its classification as a cloud forest. The season is characterized by cold, humid weather, and the panorama is picturesque - low clouds brush across the landscape, enveloping the hills, while the permeating fog gives the whole area a silent, mysterious quality. In November, December and January it is normal to have frost, hail and icy winds; warm, waterproof clothing is the key to enjoying this time of year, as the sun is a rare sight. The scenery is enchanting and unsettling, conducive to meditation.
Temperatures: -4 - 21º Celsius (25-70º Farenheit)