Editing Geography of Mexico (section)

==Climate==
{{Main|Climate of Mexico}}
[[File:Mexico Köppen.svg|thumb|Mexico map of Köppen Climate Classification with state division]]
The [[Tropic of Cancer]] effectively divides the country into temperate and tropical zones. Land north of the twenty-fourth parallel experiences cooler temperatures during the winter months. South of the twenty-fourth parallel, temperatures are fairly constant year round and vary solely as a function of elevation.

Areas south of the twentieth-fourth parallel with elevations up to {{convert|1000|m|ft|0|sp=us}} (the southern parts of both coastal plains as well as the [[Yucatán Peninsula]]), have a yearly median temperature between {{convert|24|and|28|°C|°F|1}}. Temperatures here remain high throughout the year, with only a {{convert|5|C-change|0}} difference between winter and summer median temperatures. Although low-lying areas north of the twentieth-fourth parallel are hot and humid during the summer, they generally have lower yearly temperature averages (from {{convert|20|to|24|°C|°F|1|disp=or}}) because of more moderate conditions during the winter.

[[File:Pachycereus_pringlei_forest.jpg|thumb|left|250px|[[Pachycereus pringlei]] Forest in the [[Sonoran Desert]] Sonora, Mexico.]]
[[File:Yucca_decipiens_3.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Shrubs, succulents like [[Yucca decipiens]], and small grasses coexisting in the semi-arid desert of Zacatecas. Part of the [[Chihuahuan Desert]].]]

Between {{convert|1000|and|2000|m|ft|0|sp=us}}, one encounters yearly average temperatures between {{convert|16|and|20|°C|°F|1}}. Towns and cities at this elevation south of the twenty-fourth parallel have relatively constant, pleasant temperatures throughout the year, whereas more northerly locations experience sizeable seasonal variations. Above {{convert|2000|m|ft|0|sp=us}}, temperatures drop as low as an average yearly range between {{convert|8|and|12|°C|°F|1}} in the [[Cordillera Neovolcánica]]. At {{convert|2300|m|ft|0|sp=us}}, [[Mexico City]] has a yearly median temperature of {{convert|15|°C}} with pleasant summers and mild winters. Average daily highs and lows for May, the warmest month, are {{convert|26|and|12|°C|°F|1}}, and average daily highs and lows for January, the coldest month, are {{convert|19|and|6|°C|°F|1}}. Rainfall varies widely both by location and season. Arid or semiarid conditions are encountered in the [[Baja California Peninsula]], the northwestern state of [[Sonora]], the northern altiplano, and also significant portions of the southern altiplano. Rainfall in these regions averages between {{convert|300|and|600|mm|in|1|sp=us}} per year, although even less in some areas, particularly in the state of Baja California. Average rainfall totals are between {{convert|600|and|1000|mm|in|1|sp=us}} in most of the major populated areas of the southern altiplano, including Mexico City and [[Guadalajara, Jalisco|Guadalajara]]. Low-lying areas along the [[Gulf of Mexico]] receive in excess of {{convert|1000|mm|in|1|sp=us}} of rainfall in an average year, with the wettest region being the southeastern state of Tabasco, which typically receives approximately {{convert|2000|mm|in|1|sp=us}} of rainfall on an annual basis. Parts of the northern altiplano, highlands and high peaks in the Sierra Madres receive yearly snowfall. Citlaltépetl, Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl continue to support [[glaciers]], the largest of which is the [[Gran Glaciar Norte]].[[File:Selva Lacandona.JPG|thumb|[[Chiapas]]]] Mexico has pronounced wet and dry [[seasons]]. Most of the country experiences a rainy season from June to mid-October and significantly less rain during the remainder of the year. February and July generally are the driest and wettest months, respectively. Mexico City, for example, receives an average of only {{convert|5|mm|in|1|sp=us}} of rain during February but more than {{convert|160|mm|in|1|sp=us}} in July. Coastal areas, especially those along the Gulf of Mexico, experience the largest amounts of rain in September. [[Tabasco]] typically records more than {{convert|300|mm|in|1|sp=us}} of rain during that month. A small coastal area of northwestern coastal Mexico around [[Tijuana]] has a [[Mediterranean climate]] with considerable coastal fog and a rainy season that occurs in winter.

Mexico lies squarely within the [[hurricane]] belt, and all regions of both coasts are susceptible to these storms from June through November. Hurricanes on the Pacific coast are often less violent than those affecting Mexico's eastern coastline. Several hurricanes per year strike the [[Caribbean]] and Gulf of Mexico coastline, however, and these storms bring high winds, heavy rain, extensive damage, and occasional loss of life. [[Hurricane Gilbert]] passed directly over [[Cancún]] in September 1988, with winds in excess of {{convert|200|km/h|mph|0|sp=us}}, producing major damage to hotels in the resort area. It then struck northeast Mexico, where flooding from the heavy rain killed dozens in the [[Monterrey]] area and caused extensive damage to livestock and vegetable crops.

===Climate change===
{{excerpt|Climate change in Mexico}}