Sunday marks the start of Semana Santa (Holy Week), and many are hoping the weather does not interfere with celebrations.
Semana Santa starts on Palm Sunday. It runs through Easter Sunday and is celebrated in by Catholics in Spanish-speaking countries.
"The week features numerous processions through cities," said AccuWeather Journalist Manuel Crespo. "In warmer climates, some people spend the long holiday at the beach."
Here are weather forecasts for five cities around the world where Semana Santa kicks off with processions and other festivities on Palm Sunday.
Seville, Spain
City streets throughout Spain become alive with processions during Semana Santa as a tribute to the Passion of Jesus Christ, and Seville is no exception. Devour Seville states that processions in the city can last up to 12 hours.
Semana Santa in Seville will start amid dry and warm weather on Sunday. Clouds will mix with sunshine as rain stays absent. Temperatures will climb about 5 degrees Celsius (9 degrees Fahrenheit) above the day's typical high of 23 C (74 F).
Monday will bring similar conditions, along with a slight breeze from a bypassing storm.
Looking ahead to later in the week, the return of showers and thunderstorms may come on Maundy Thursday – Holy Day.
People carry a statue of Jesus Christ during a Palm Sunday procession in Mexico City, Sunday, April 1, 2012. Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus Christ's triumphant entry into Jerusalem and marks the start of the Christian Holy Week. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte)
Mexico City, Mexico
April remains a drier time of year for Mexico City, and no unusual weather is expected to put a damper on the processions through the city. Iztapalapa, located on the outskirts of Mexico City, boasts one of the most elaborate Passion Plays.
Sunshine will dominate Palm Sunday in and around Mexico City with highs near 27 C (81 F). A high of 24 C (76 F) is more common this time of year.
Dry and warm weather will remain in control through Semana Santa. There may be more clouds overhead by Easter Sunday, but AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Rob Miller anticipates showers and thunderstorms to remain confined to the Sierra Madre Oriental, east of Mexico City.
Antigua, Guatemala
Partly sunny and comfortable weather is in store for Sunday in Antigua, where floats used for the Palm Sunday procession display scenes of the figures of Christ and the Holy Virgin of Sorrow. Processions through Semana Santa feature colorful homemade decorations and embellishments, according to Maximo Nivel.
Unlike in Mexico City, the dry weather on Palm Sunday will not hold through Semana Santa in Antigua.
"A spotty thunderstorm can be around in the afternoon and evenings of Monday and Tuesday," Miller said, "with more numerous showers and thunderstorms to follow for Easter weekend."
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Popayán, Colombia
"Popayán is famous for the celebration of Holy Week, which dates back to colonial times," Colombia.com reported. Popayán has one of the highest ratios of churches per residents in the world.
Anyone participating or enjoying the Procession of Palm Sunday will have to remain alert for thunderstorms, which occur daily amid the steamy conditions this time of year.
As is common, most of the thunderstorms on Sunday and through Semana Santa will rumble through the city during the late afternoon and evening hours.
"In addition to lightning, there is a threat for any of the thunderstorms to produce localized downpours," Miller said. Worse than ruining the processions, the heaviest downpours can trigger flash flooding and mudslides.
Santiago, Chile
Dry weather that is typical around Santiago in April will hold firm for this year's Semana Santa.
Unsettled weather east of the Andes Mountains in Argentina will not carry over to Santiago on Sunday, allowing sunshine and seasonable weather to prevail.
"Temperatures will climb above normal for early next week, but humidity will stay low," Miller said. Highs between 27 and 29 C (in the lower 80s F) are expected Monday through Wednesday.
While no rain may fall, more seasonable air should return by Easter weekend.
Download the free AccuWeather app to know what weather is expected for Semana Santa or Holy Week in your community.
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