Weather and climate in Baja California (Mexico)

Index

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• Introduction
• The west coast - Guadalupe Island
• Center and east - Laguna Hanson
• When to go

Introduction

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In the state of Baja California (Baja California), which includes the northern part of the peninsula of the same name, the climate is generally arid subtropical, mild on the west coast, overlooking the Pacific ocean, where a cold current flows, and very hot in summer on the east coast, overlooking the Gulf of California (or Sea of ​​Cortez).
The interior is crossed by a mountain range, which separates the two worlds, the mild oceanic one and the warm eastern one. In the north, we have the Sierra de Juárez, and further south the Sierra de San Pedro Mártir. In the latter we find the highest peak, the Picacho del Diablo, 3,096 meters (10,057 feet) high. In the northern inland areas, it is cold in winter, and snowfalls and frosts are possible, while summer is hot even at altitudes of a few hundred meters.
The rainfall is not abundant, however, it reaches 250 millimeters (10 inches) per year in the extreme north-west (see Tijuana), and even 400 mm (15.5 in) per year in the mountainous areas of the north, while it is more scarce, at desert levels, on both the north-eastern plain (see Mexicali) and on the east coast (see San Felipe).
Most of the rain falls from November to March, although in the interior, some rains also occur from July to September. The Sonoran desert, which is characterized by an increase in rainfall in the second part of summer, a "little monsoon" from July to mid-October, is located just further east (in the state of Sonora) and further south, that is, in the central-southern part of the peninsula (which also includes the state of Baja California Sur).
From late June to October, and with a maximum in September, Baja California may be affected by the remnants of tropical depressions and cyclones that form in the Pacific off the southern coast of Mexico, and then head north, mainly affecting Baja California Sur.

The west coast

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The north-west coast (see Tijuana, Rosarito, Ensenada), has a very mild, almost Mediterranean climate. However, all year round, but especially from April to November, with a maximum in autumn, the temperature can increase a lot when the Santa Ana blows, the wind from the deserts of interior.
In May and June, here too, as on the California coast, fog can form from the sea.
Here are the average temperatures of Ensenada.

The rains are concentrated from November to March, while the summer is sunny and pleasantly warm. Here is the average rainfall.

The sea in this area is cold even in summer, due to the aforementioned cold current. Here are the sea temperatures at Ensenada.

Continuing south on the west coast, the temperature does not increase much (to find a really hot summer, you have to go to Baja California Sur). However, in Punta San Carlos, at the 29th parallel, albeit with a certain delay, the temperatures in summer become quite warm, around 28/29 °C (82/84 °F). Here are the average temperatures.

Guadalupe Island

At 265 km (165 mi) off Punta San Carlos, we find Guadalupe, a volcanic island that is decidedly mild and arid, and also foggy. In the interior, there are reliefs that reach 1,300 meters (4,265 feet), where the humidity of mists and low clouds is deposited, so that pines and cypresses can grow. The island is considered an excellent place to see great white sharks. Here are the average temperatures.

In one year, just 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain fall, almost all from November to April. Here is the average rainfall.

In Isla Guadalupe, the sea is a bit cold even in summer.

Center and east

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Moving away from the coast, the summer becomes decidedly warmer. At Tecate, in the north-east, east of Tijuana and 45 km (28 mi) from the coast, despite being at 500 meters (1,600 feet) above sea level, the maximum temperature in August is 34 °C (93 °F), but sometimes it can reach 40 °C (104 °F) from May to October. Here are the average temperatures.

Further to the east, east of the mountain range, and just south of the Imperial Valley of California, we find a scorching and decidedly desert plain, where Mexicali is located, the state capital. Here, the heat record is 50 °C (122 °F). Here are the average temperatures.

Further south, on the Gulf of California coast, summer temperatures are somewhat lower, but on the other hand the humidity is higher. Rainfall is still very rare. Here are the average temperatures of San Felipe.

The sea on this coast becomes very warm from July to October. Here are the average sea temperatures in San Felipe.

Hanson lagoon

In the mountainous areas, winter is cold, and intense frosts can occur, while in summer, the temperature is quite high, at least considering the altitude, actually, sometimes it get hot. Here are the average temperatures of Laguna Hanson (or Laguna Juarez), 1,600 meters (5,250 feet) above sea level, in the Parque Nacional Constitución de 1857.

Precipitation in Laguna Hanson amounts to 390 mm (15.3 in) per year, and in winter it can occur in the form of snow. Some showers may occur in the summer. Precipitation is abundant enough to allow the growth of coniferous forests.



Further south, and still inland, we find the Parque Natural del Desierto Central de Baja California. Here, winter is mild and sunny during the day, but with cold nights, while in summer, during the day it's very hot.

when to go

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In general, you can go to Baja California from November to April, since in some areas (the inland ones and the east coast) it is very hot in summer.
The western coast, which is a world apart, can be visited all year round, however the best time to go to the beach is from July to October, when the sea is less cold (although in October there is the risk of hurricanes).



See also the climate of Baja California Sur.