You are sitting in your office, staring outside at the grey skies and thinking about layering on two pairs of socks, thermal underwear and scarves and hats and making the trek home through the snow and slush. In an effort to make yourself feel better, you search “cancun weather forecast” to escape for a moment to some tropical weather on your desktop screen. Most of the time you’ll find the Cancun weather to be “hot and sunny, hot and sunny, hot and sunny” and you can live vicariously through the lucky souls who have made their winter escape. Other times you’ll see “rain, rain, and more rain”, but truth be told, those forecasts are rarely accurate! While forecasts may call for rain in Cancun, what we really see is a short afternoon shower (which is actually quite refreshing on a hot day) then back to “hot and sunny”.
The winter months of Cancun are generally fantastic weather months, not too hot, not too cold, with temperatures averaging 27 C/80 F, with very little precipitation and low humidity. The days are perfect for laying on the beach, exploring Chichen Itzá, going for a snorkel or visiting Xelha or Xcaret. It’s wise to pack a light jacket and pants as the evenings may get cool, but during the day you’ll be able to show off that gorgeous bikini or your cool new board shorts and catch a great tan.
Cancun weather (like weather everywhere) unfortunately is not always predictable. While the winter “norm” is lovely and warm, the area can be affected by cold fronts called “nortes”. “Nortes” bring cold weather, wind and occasional rain showers. This past week has been unseasonably chilly in Cancun, with temperatures going as low as 15 C/59 F at night. While this may not seem cold to those of you covered in snow, it is definitely not what Cancun is accustomed to. The current cold front is affecting almost the entire country of Mexico and the southern United States, bringing warnings from the Mexican government to bundle up, keep children warm and to show extreme caution in heating homes. Houses in Mexico are built to stay cool, central heating is non-existent and it is a challenge for many to maintain a comfortable temperature.
Tourists who have come to the area seeking tropical temperatures are feeling disappointment in the turn of the weather, though they are making the best of it and bikinis and board shorts are still on parade at hotel pools and beaches. Fortunately, “nortes” usually pass in a short period of time and we should be back to sunburns and sweat in no time! Looking at this week’s Cancun weather forecast, it appears that things should be turning around by the end of the week. Thursday’s predicted high is 28 C/82 F, a big improvement over the last few days. While it is currently chilly, the skies are blue, the sun is shining and tourists are out and about enjoying their vacations.
A cool day in Cancun has got to be better than a bitterly cold day at home! We at Cancun Travel send you warm wishes from south of the border, if you are thinking of making a great winter escape, we´re here at your service to help with all your vacation plans.
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Tags: cancun weather, cancun weather forecast, cold front cancun, riviera maya weather
January 21st, 2010 at 7:51 am
Hey Lyn,
is the weather any better now ?
January 26th, 2010 at 9:16 am
Hi Melanie,
The weather is MUCH better, back to normal, lovely temps in the 80’s with sunshine and blue skies.
January 26th, 2010 at 2:39 pm
How is the weather looking for Jan 30, 2010 thru Feb 6th?
January 28th, 2010 at 9:15 am
Hi Kate,
Things are MUCH warmer than they were a couple of weeks ago. Today it’s 25 C/77 F at 9 am. It’s a little overcast with some wind. I rarely believe the weather forecasts, but Wunderground suggests that temps will be around 27 C/80 F from this weekend forward. They have a 30% chance of rain, but the forecast ALWAYS calls for rain and is rarely accurate. This is our dry season so I don’t suspect we’ll see much of the wet stuff.
I hope the weather is perfect for you trip!
February 2nd, 2010 at 6:35 pm
We will be down at the JW marriott 2/10-2/16 hoping for no rain and warm weather… What do you think? Also, not weather related, but we really do not want to spend $10 for a Corona, is there a store near the JW Marriott that sells beer and wine?
February 4th, 2010 at 9:55 am
Thanks for the info
do you know if it will be nice starting Feb. 18 ? I just can’t wait to be there.
By the way, were are you from Canada ?
February 11th, 2010 at 2:20 pm
Hi I was in Cancun in October. We lucked out with the weather. It showed rain everyday we were there. It only rained a couple time and did not effect our trip. We are leaving Febuary 18th out of Philadelphia USA to come back. The extended forcast shows rain almost everyday and mostly cloudy. I heard Febuary has little rain. Are these forecasts accurate?
February 11th, 2010 at 8:16 pm
I’ve been looking at the weather in Cancun for the past couple of months and it has been consistently cool, wet and grey since before Christmas. What’s going on? There’s been the odd hot and dry couple of days here and there, but most times I check it’s grey and rain and about 65-70F. That is NOT what I want when I visit in March. Is this an unusual year?
February 12th, 2010 at 9:28 am
Hi Holly,
Yes, it’s been an unusually cool year, but it seems to have returned to normal. We’ve been having some lovely weather! January was the coldest I have ever been here, I felt bad for the tourists. March generally has fantastic weather, the “nortes” are usually finished, my guess (and it’s only a guess, can’t control the weather!) is that you’ll be just fine.
February 12th, 2010 at 9:30 am
Hi Luke,
The forecasts are usually NOT very accurate, they’ll call for rain everyday when we receive none. This has been an unusually cool and wet winter, but it seems to have turned around, we’ve had some great weather lately. Hope you have a fab trip!
February 12th, 2010 at 9:41 am
Hi Amy,
Sorry for the late reply, you’re here right now! The weather is lovely! There are convenience stores throughout the hotel zone, hope you found your cheaper Coronas!
February 12th, 2010 at 5:32 pm
HELLO,
I WILL BE ARRIVING TO CANCUN ON SUNDAY THE 14TH TO FRIDAY THE 19TH.. THE WEATHER DOESN’T LOOK TO PROMISING. HOW DO YOU THINK IT WILL BE???
February 12th, 2010 at 8:36 pm
Thanks! I have my fingers crossed!
February 13th, 2010 at 10:38 am
im leaving the 16th how is the weather gonna be? with fingers cross
February 16th, 2010 at 9:02 am
My husband and I will be arriving on the 19th and the weather forecasts that I’ve seen look miserable. I wanted to celebrate my birthday somewhere warm since we’ve actually had snow here in Atlanta. I see the posts that say the weather isn’t that accurate. How many days has it actually rained this month? What’s the weather actually like today and do you think we’ll luck out and have mostly nice weather or should we postpone?
February 17th, 2010 at 9:23 am
Hi Carole,
I wish I could predict exactly what you’ll get, sorry I can’t be more specific! Good luck and I hope you have a fantastic vacation and happy birthday!
The weather forecasts are usually incorrect. We have had a colder than average winter, it’s sunny but temps are lower. During the day it’s been in the 70’s, night time down into the 60’s. I really wouldn’t ant to say cancel the trip (I’m not good with that kind of responsibility, haha). Right now it’s a beautiful sunny day, early morning temps of about 65 F. Yesterday was lovely, I went for a walk and tricycle ride with my son in shorts and tee shirts, so it’s not so bad.
February 17th, 2010 at 9:31 am
Wish I could tell you, it’s a guessing game these days! It’s a bit cooler today, but the sun is shining! Was out and about in tee shirt and shorts yesterday. Hope you get some relieve from winter, even if it’s a bit chillier than normal!
February 17th, 2010 at 9:32 am
Sorry I am late on this, you’re here! It’s a bit chillier than normal, but the sun is shining today! Hope you are having a lovely vacation.
February 25th, 2010 at 9:43 am
Looking at the forecast, it seems the weather’s really turning around. Good thing, because I’ll be there March 13th and I really want it to be in the 80’s!