Mexico City Weather: Heavy Rain Triggers Yellow Alert and a Cultural Recommendation for These Days
Have you seen the sky? If you're in Mexico City, you've probably noticed things have taken a serious turn this afternoon. A yellow alert has just been activated due to the forecast of heavy rain for several boroughs. And it’s no surprise, really—the air feels thick, and those grey clouds we’ve been watching since morning were a pretty clear warning. I was out in Roma when suddenly a downpour started that looked like it was going to sweep everything away. But that’s just how it goes here, isn’t it? You never know when you’ll have to dash for cover in a café or under the arches in the Centro.
Just to give you an idea, the temperature is hovering around 21 degrees Celsius as a high, but with the rain, the real feel drops sharply. The advice is the usual, but it never hurts to hear it again: if you don’t need to, it’s best to leave the car at home; main roads like Periférico, Insurgentes, and Viaducto are getting pretty messy. If you’re on foot, don’t get complacent—a puddle can turn into a stream in five minutes. Honestly, I prefer to watch it from my window with a coffee in hand and a good book.
Speaking of books, with this kind of weather that just begs you to stay indoors, there’s no better plan than getting stuck into something that grabs you. A lot of people are talking about Monstrilio: Novela / a Novel by Gerardo Sámano Córdova right now. If you haven’t seen it, it’s one of those stories that starts with grief and gets right under your skin—just like the dampness we’re feeling. Perfect for a rainy afternoon when you want something to take you out of the everyday. It’s no surprise everyone’s talking about it; the writing has a power that stays with you long after you’ve closed the book.
And if reading isn’t your thing, but music is, let me tell you about a gem that’s absolutely perfect for this vibe. I’m talking about Vamos a darnos tiempo (En vivo desde el Lunario, Ciudad de México, 2010). This bootleg, this live recording that circulates among those of us who know good music, has a special energy. Listening to that version, with the echo of the Lunario and the raw vocals, transports you back to that time and sets the perfect mood for a rainy night. The city sounds different when there’s a downpour outside and you’re inside treating yourself to Vamos a darnos tiempo.
The forecast says this mix of partly cloudy skies and a chance of rain will continue for the rest of the day. So, it’s a good idea to have a plan B ready. If you’re staying home, here are a few ideas to make the most of this rainy day in the capital:
- Set up your reading nook: Monstrilio is a safe bet, but people are also talking about Primero estaba el mar by Tomás González, whose prose and narrative force makes you feel the vastness of the ocean, even from an apartment in la Nápoles.
- Catch up on independent cinema: Don’t miss Safari accidental, a film that’s been making waves in the alternative scene. Its pacing and blend of reality and fiction will keep you glued to the screen while the thunder rolls outside.
- If you do brave going out, bring a proper umbrella (the disposable ones won’t stand up to this wind) and check official channels to know when it might ease up.
Honestly, living in this city means learning to roll with these changes. One day it starts out sunny, and the next thing you know, you’re looking for shelter. But we also learn to enjoy it. Whether it’s with a novel like Monstrilio that tears you apart, that live track that gives you a moment of calm, or simply watching the water run down the footpath, the key is to make room for the rain. So there you have it—if you’re going to darnos tiempo, do it with ease and a good plan. Stay safe from the water, don’t risk crossing flooded streets, and above all, enjoy this pause the city gives us amidst all the chaos.