Letter from Estela Romero: End-of-Year Cold Front

A Wintery Report

The persistent cold fronts towards the end of the year serve as a stark reminder of the chilly winters that have been a norm in our region for decades. Since last November, these cold fronts have intensified in December, bringing temperatures below zero Celsius and intense frosts. Surprisingly, there has been no snowfall until now, contrary to our expectations.

Amidst the forest and ice-covered green undergrowth, characterized by cloudy days, rain, and fog, resilient monarchs have been hibernating. They endure weather conditions reminiscent of those experienced by generations of their ancestors long before the impact of climate change became evident through rising local temperatures.

Sierra Chincua Sanctuary

For the past couple of weeks, the monarch colony which initially remained in the distant area of La Cabaña del Japonés has now shifted to El Llanito (19.6726178 -100.2286333). Despite its relatively small size, the colony appears even more enchanting. The location where the monarchs form clusters in the trees is adjacent to a beautiful plain. During the day, monarchs can be seen descending to find humidity, bask in the warm sun, and energetically flutter under the blue sky.

El Rosario Sanctuary

Meanwhile, the El Rosario colony has exhibited a different behavior. During the past week, this colony moved slightly higher to the site of La Virgencita (15.5983913 -100.2581161), a 1.5-hour walk away. This movement, not observed for many years according to guides, makes El Rosario Sanctuary now seemingly larger than Sierra Chincua. The trees, adorned with dense clusters of butterflies, appear as if strategically located and sheltered amidst green and thick undergrowth, protecting from the intense frosts. The colony's beauty is equally captivating and puzzling due to its unique location.

Currently, the sky is clear blue, and the sun shines, bringing daytime temperatures to 15-20 degrees Celsius. Although the nights remain cold, they are no longer freezing. Inside the forest, pockets of ice persist throughout the day under the shade of trees, covering small plants on the ground.

Overall, the populations in both sanctuaries appear to be slightly increasing in concentration. As the season reaches its peak splendor, the number of visitors—both foreign and local—also rises. There is a sense of joy in the air as the sun returns, filling this corner of Mexico with vibrant colors, where the Monarch hibernation phenomenon awaits to be witnessed by the world.

Estela Romero

Journey North

Angangueo, Michoacán, Mexico

Estela Romero is an environmental educator with Monarchs Across Georgia. Reporting from Angangueo, Michoacán, Estela Romero's work is made possible by funding from Monarchs Across Georgia and the Monarch Butterfly Fund.

Translated and edited by Nancy Sheehan, Journey North Program Coordinator with the help of www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)