In Mexico, the canícula is characterized by high temperatures and a lack of precipitation, causing confusion each year about its start date. The National Meteorological Service (SMN) recently attempted to clarify this phenomenon, as many people associate it with the Holy Week or the '40 hottest days' of the year. Meteorologist Juan Carlos Ayala discussed the misconceptions surrounding the canícula, emphasizing that it is not uniform across the country and does not adhere to a strict timeline.

Ayala highlights that the perception of the canícula is largely based on popular belief rather than scientific fact. Many assume it coincides with the local religious observance of Semana Santa, but Ayala stresses that this is a myth; the extreme heat does not consistently span the same duration across all Mexican regions. Furthermore, he indicates that the idea of a specific starting and ending date for the canícula is misleading, as climatic conditions can vary significantly depending on geography.

Overall, as heat waves impact various parts of the country, understanding the canícula's true nature could help Mexicans better prepare for the summer. This clarification also aims to mitigate misconceptions that could lead to misinformed expectations about weather patterns during this crucial time of the year in an already climate-affected region.