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The topographic diversity and latitudinal range of Mexico provide it with a wide array of climatic conditions, often occurring over short distances. More than half of the country lies in the south of the Tropic of Cancer. In these areas, tropical maritime air masses from the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean, and the Pacific, attracted by the relatively low pressures that occur over the land are the main sources of precipitation that is heaviest during the period from May through August. Tropical hurricanes that are spawned in oceans on both sides of the country are common in the coastal lowland areas during the months of August through October. The climates in northern Mexico, situated latitude wise within one of the world's great desert regions, are strongly influenced by the semi-permanent Pacific subtropical anticyclone, which minimizes precipitation.
Within the tropics, temperature variations from season to season are small, often only about 10° F (5° C) between the warmest and coldest months. In these areas, winter is defined as rainy rather than the cold season. Since elevation rather than latitude is the primary climatic influence in southern Mexico, several vertical climatic zones are recognized. In the Mexican tropics, from sea level to just over 3,000 feet, is the tierra caliente ("hot land"), with uniformly high temperatures. Veracruz, located on the Gulf of Mexico, for example, has an average daily temperature of approximately 77° F (25° C). The tierra templada ("temperate land") extends to about 6,000 feet. Located at an elevation of more than 4,600 feet, Jalapa has an average daily temperature of 66° F (19° C). Tierra fria ("cold land") extends as high as 11,000 feet. Pachuca, at just below 8,000 feet, has an average annual temperature of 59° F (15° C). Above the tierra fria are the paramos, or alpine pastures, while the tierra helada ("frozen land"), or permanent snow line, in central Mexico is found between 13,000 and 14,000 feet.
North of the tropics, the range of temperature increases substantially and is greatest in the north central portion of the Mesa del Norte. In the northern interior, summer and winter temperatures are mostly extreme. The highest temperatures in the country, exceeding 110° F (43° C), occur in July and August in central Baja California and in the northern Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts. Outside the high mountainous areas of northern Mexico and the north central portion of the Mesa del Norte, the lowest temperatures normally do not descend below 32° F (0° C).
Most of Mexico lacks adequate precipitation at least during a specific part of the year. With the exception of the highland areas, all of the area north of the Tropic of Cancer generally receives less than 20 inches (500 millimeters) of precipitation annually and is classified climatically as either tropical desert or tropical steppe. Nearly all of Baja California, much of Sonora state and large parts of Chihuahua annually receive less than 10 inches of rainfall. Much of central and southern Mexico receives less than 40 inches of precipitation annually, mostly from May through August, and is classified as having tropical savanna or highland savanna climates. Only the Gulf Coastal Plain and the adjacent mountains receive abundant rainfall year-round. In combination with uniformly high temperatures, this creates a tropical rain forest climate in the areas.
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