“Kathleen, Lee Harrison’s article on Álamos, Mexico was interesting and informative. And I can relate to being a minority member of an expat group principally organized by women.
“In Sinaloa, Mexico, I went on the field trip bus ‘with the gals’ (mostly) from Mazatlán to the new Costco in Culiacan, which by the way, was just like the Costco at home in Orlando! If you would like to experience the expat life on a visit, the group Friends of Mexico and trip leader LaVonne Turcotte are very welcoming.
“One quick question for Lee on Álamos: As your account mentions the hills in the town, what climate advantage does the town get from the difference in altitude than say being right on the ocean?”
–David L., United States
Generally, a rise in altitude lowers temperatures 1 degree Fahrenheit for every 275 feet of altitude (or 1 degree Celcius for every 150 meters). Álamos’s altitude is 400 meters (1,300 feet), so, all else being equal, Álamos should be 5 degrees Fahrenheit (3 degrees Celcius) cooler than the coast. And it is indeed cooler than nearby low-altitude cities like Ciudad Obregón.
However, when comparing Álamos to a coastal city like Mazatlán, you have to consider the moderating effect of the cool Pacific Ocean. At the end of the day, the average temperatures in Mazatlán and Álamos are almost the same.
Follow this link to see the related Overseas Property Alert essay on the colonial homes in Álamos, Mexico.
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