2 Geography Affects Mexico’s Weather Mexico has two climate zones In the temperate north summers are hot Winter days are cool Geography is important Temperatures can reach 110 degrees Fahrenheit 43 C in northern deserts Yet some mountains ranges in the north have snow year-round Southern Mexico has a tropical climate Temperatures reach 80 degrees 27 C every day Coastal areas are hot and humid too Different plants and animals live in each region of Mexico Giant cardon cactuses dot the deserts in the north Pit viper snakes and scorpions slither in the sand Coyotes and pumas hunt for their next meal The giant cardon cactus is the tallest in the world reaching heights over 60 feet 18 m Tundra is found on volcanic mountains above 13,000 feet 3,962 m The soil is always frozen Trees don’t grow Few animals are seen The jungles of the Yucatán Peninsula are noisy Insects buzz and howler monkeys scream Colorful parrots squawk Jaguars and ocelots prowl through the thick vegetation Lizards and poisonous snakes move quietly along the jungle floor 6
