Mexicali Heat Alert: Temperatures to Hit 43°C This Week

Baja California’s civil protection agency issued a heat alert Thursday, warning that a high-pressure system over the Pacific will push temperatures across the peninsula to dangerous levels through Saturday. Mexicali faces the worst of it, with forecasts calling for highs of 43°C (109°F) on Friday and Saturday.

City by City Forecast Across Baja California

Tecate, the mountain town about 35 miles southeast of Tijuana, will see highs around 37°C (99°F) during the same period. Tijuana’s coast will be cooler but still above normal at 31°C (88°F). The agency said the heat wave will affect all five municipalities in Baja California through the weekend.

A Pacific high-pressure ridge is the main driver. That same system will produce scattered fog along coastal areas from Ensenada to Rosarito, along with sea breezes and ocean swells of 1 to 2 meters. Wind gusts could reach 60 km/h (37 mph) on Saturday, particularly along exposed stretches of coast.

Mexicali’s Extreme Heat Record and Health Risks

March heat in Mexicali is unusual at this intensity. The city’s desert basin, which sits below sea level in parts of the Mexicali Valley, regularly exceeds 49°C (120°F) in July and August. Last summer, Mexicali recorded a historic 52.7°C (127°F) in August 2025, and at least three heat stroke deaths were reported during that season. A 43°C reading in mid-March is well above the typical March high of around 27°C (81°F).

Civil protection officials urged residents to stay hydrated, wear light-colored long sleeves, and limit sun exposure between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Children, seniors, and people with chronic illness face the highest risk. The agency also recommended keeping pets indoors and checking on elderly neighbors.

Mexicali sits just south of the Calexico border crossing, and daytime pedestrian waits at the port of entry can stretch past 90 minutes in open-air queues. Anyone crossing on foot during peak hours should carry water and sun protection.

Temperatures are expected to begin falling on Sunday as the high-pressure system shifts east. The civil protection agency said it will issue updates if conditions change, according to Punto Norte.