Mexico experiences tornadoes, a genuine weather hazard often overlooked due to the high-profile events in the United States. These rotating columns of air occur across the country, though with less frequency and intensity than in the US. The number of documented events has increased, averaging around 45 tornadoes annually between 2013 and 2022. Significant mountain ranges and a unique combination of air masses contribute to the development of these severe storms.
Where and When Tornadoes Strike
Tornadic activity concentrates in two regions: the northern border states and the high-altitude central plateau. Northern states like Coahuila, Nuevo León, and Chihuahua are susceptible because their proximity to the US Great Plains allows mid-latitude storm systems to penetrate the region. This area often experiences the most powerful tornadoes, as the flat terrain is conducive to sustained storm rotation.
The Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt (TMVB), including states such as the State of Mexico, Puebla, and Tlaxcala, accounts for about 40% of all documented events. This central region features complex, high-elevation topography where local effects play a larger role in storm development. The tornado season generally spans from late spring through early autumn, typically April to September. Peak activity occurs in the warmer months of May and July, with most tornadoes touching down during the late afternoon and evening.
The Science Behind Mexican Tornado Development
The formation of Mexican tornadoes is governed by the convergence of specific air masses interacting with the country’s topography. The Sierra Madre Oriental, a mountain range running north to south, acts as a barrier, channeling warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico westward. This moisture provides the high Convective Available Potential Energy (CAPE) necessary for powerful thunderstorms.
Northern Development
In the northern states, significant tornadoes form when cold, dry air masses from the north clash with Gulf moisture. This clash establishes the strong vertical wind shear needed for supercell formation. The mountain range’s leeward side in the north can sometimes enhance storm organization before the storms move eastward.
Central Plateau Development
In the central plateau’s Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt (TMVB), the development mechanism is different, relying on localized conditions. The complex, high-altitude terrain fosters the development of non-supercell tornadoes through forced convection and mountain-valley wind interactions. Daytime solar heating creates buoyant air that rises, and surrounding peaks enhance convergence, generating low-level rotation. Research shows the TMVB is an area where anticyclonic (clockwise-rotating) tornadoes occur with a relatively high frequency compared to the rest of North America.
Tornado Intensity and Historical Impact
Most tornadoes recorded in Mexico are categorized as weaker events, typically falling into the EF0 or EF1 categories on the Enhanced Fujita (EF) Scale. However, the country has experienced several destructive, high-end events. The EF Scale is used to estimate wind speed based on the severity of the resulting damage.
One catastrophic example was the Ciudad Acuña tornado in Coahuila, which struck on May 25, 2015. This event was rated an EF3, with estimated wind speeds between 136 and 165 miles per hour. The early morning storm caused significant destruction, tossing cars and destroying hundreds of homes, resulting in multiple fatalities.
Another notable event occurred in Piedras Negras, Coahuila, on April 24, 2007. This tornado was rated an F3 on the old Fujita Scale, correlating to a strong EF-scale rating. The twister devastated the Villa de Fuente neighborhood, demonstrating that powerful, high-casualty tornadoes are a recurring, though infrequent, threat in Mexico’s northern border region.