MEXICO CITY, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Cold weather has killed 64 people across Mexico, mostly in northern states, the Health Ministry said in a press release on Sunday.

    The northern Mexican state of Chihuahua has seen the largest number of deaths with 26, followed by Sonora with 14. Other states affected are Coahuila with 7, Hidalgo 5, Puebla 4, Durango 3, Tlaxcala 2, Zacatecas 2 and Veracruz 1.

    During the past week, some areas in Chihuahua and Durango have witnessed a temperature of minus seven degrees Celsius, following the arrival of unexpected cold waves on Oct. 18 last year.

    Tijuana, a city which borders the United States in the northern state of Baja California, declared a state of emergency on Saturday, as the 31st cold front arrived there, bringing snow and frost that have already chilled the north and center of Mexico.

    Mexico's National Meteorological Service said on Sunday that during the coming hours the front would affect Baja California and Sonora, also bordering the United States.

    Baja California Governor Eugenio Elorduy Walther described temperatures there as "historical lows" and said snow falls in Punta Banda and Maneadero areas had never been seen before.

    He said eastern Tijuana residents had been shocked by sleet, a weather phenomenon believed never to have been seen in the region.

    The government has advised people to immediately see a doctor if they fall sick.