UNAM studies climate and airports in Mexico
A recent study conducted by researchers at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) has analyzed the impact of adverse weather conditions on commercial airports in the country, showing how extreme weather events affect the safety, operation, and economy of the airport sector.
The work, carried out by Isaac Miranda Alcántara from the Faculty of Sciences, under the guidance of geographer José Francisco León Cruz, focused on analyzing historical data on storms and hailstorms that occurred between 1990 and 2020 at 57 commercial airports, due to the lack of information at some others. The study is part of the PAPIIT IN107025 project, focused on research and technological innovation.
The researchers highlighted the relevance of their analysis because, although airports are strategic spaces and highly vulnerable to meteorological phenomena, until now there has been no detailed diagnosis of how these events affect their operation in Mexico. Severe thunderstorms and hailstorms can cause delays and cancellations, as well as jeopardize the safety of both passengers and staff.
The study identified three main types of storms that affect Mexican airports. On the one hand, coastal storms, typical in low-lying, humid areas near sea level; on the other, northeastern storms, associated with severe conditions and high wind shear; and finally, continental storms, typical of plateaus and mountainous regions, which have a considerable impact on air operations. It was observed that the period of greatest activity is concentrated between June and October, peaking in August, with an average duration of about one hour, although some storms can last up to 12 hours or more.
As for hailstorms, the study classified three types that vary according to region and atmospheric conditions. Coastal hailstorms are frequent and small in size, those in the central region are moderately severe, and those in the highlands are related to altitude and intense wind shear. The peak season for these events is from April to August, with a maximum in July.
Regarding the times of highest incidence, two critical periods were identified. The first occurs between 1 p.m. and 7 p.m., linked to afternoon convection generated by soil warming. The second, more frequent at airports in the Gulf of Mexico, occurs between 3 a.m. and 5 a.m., possibly related to sea breezes and moisture transport.
Among the airports with the highest number of events are Mazatlán, Uruapan, and Mexico City, which recorded thousands of normal and severe thunderstorms during the study period. Mexico City also leads in hail events, followed by Toluca, San Luis Potosí, and Puebla.
The results of this study not only contribute to greater scientific knowledge, but also have direct implications for airport management and planning. Generating accurate information on the occurrence and characteristics of these phenomena can help reduce risks, mitigate economic losses, and improve flight safety. In addition, the work lays the groundwork for the creation of databases to monitor the impact of climate change on Mexican airport operations.
Researcher José Francisco León Cruz underscored the importance of anticipating weather conditions in a country with intense and growing air traffic, especially in tourist destinations that depend on air connectivity. For his part, Isaac Miranda Alcántara emphasized the need to foster a culture of prevention that will improve forecasting systems and, as a result, significantly reduce material and human losses.
This study represents an important advance in understanding how weather conditions can influence airport operations and opens the door to the development of more effective strategies to address the challenges posed by meteorological phenomena in national aviation.
