Guanajuato state is experiencing unprecedented rainfall this May, leading to street flooding in major cities while also bringing much-needed relief to drought-stricken reservoirs.
Precipitation across the state averaged 48.4 mm, nearly double the 26.4 mm recorded during the same period last year. León has been particularly affected, with 84 mm of rainfall—almost four times higher than the 22 mm recorded in May 2024.
Guanajuato city received 42.4 mm of rain by last Saturday, breaking records set in 1991 and 2020, according to Marcos Esquivel, director of Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Guanajuato.
The heavy downpours have created significant challenges, including flooding of streets, tunnels, and underpasses in León and Guanajuato city, causing vehicles to stall in deep water. Shopkeepers in Guanajuato city have had to sweep mud and debris from their storefronts.
Despite these challenges, the rainfall has been beneficial for the region’s water resources:
- The Presa de la Olla reservoir is overflowing into spillways, an event that usually doesn’t occur until late June.
- The Ignacio Allende Reservoir near San Miguel de Allende has reached 46% capacity.
- The Solis Reservoir near Acámbaro has exceeded 60% capacity.
However, northern parts of the state remain critically dry. For example:
- El Palote Reservoir near León has only increased from 3.5% to 6% capacity.
- The Peñuelitas Reservoir near Dolores Hidalgo stands at just 5.5%.
Experts note that the early rains will help mitigate drought effects, benefit the agricultural sector in the Bajío region—known as one of Mexico’s most productive farming areas—and help recharge depleted aquifers.
Weather forecasts indicate continued showers this week throughout the Valley of Mexico and Bajío states, extending as far west as Colima.
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