A powerful storm named Hurricane Simon was on a path towards the Pacific coast of Mexico on Friday and predicted to gain significant strength. U.S. weather experts issued a hurricane warning for sections of the central and southwest coast, anticipating the arrival of hurricane-force winds within the next 36 hours. As of early Friday, Hurricane Simon boasted sustained winds of 120 km/h and was moving northwest at a speed of seven km/h, as reported by the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami.
This Category 1 hurricane was expected to shift northward by early Saturday and make its way towards the coastline. Forecasts indicated that Simon would rapidly intensify, potentially reaching Category 4 status before making landfall. Category 4 hurricanes are classified by sustained winds ranging from 210 to 250 km/h. Currently, Simon was situated approximately 355 kilometers south of Manzanillo and 525 kilometers south-southeast of Cabo Corrientes.
There were concerns about possible tropical storm conditions along the coast later in the day. The storm was projected to bring heavy rainfall, posing risks of flooding and mudslides. U.S. meteorologists warned that southwestern Mexico could receive between 20 to 38 centimeters of rain, with isolated areas possibly experiencing up to 63 centimeters.
In other regions, Tropical Storm Rachel was forecasted to impact Baja California, northwestern Mexico, and Southern California over the weekend. With winds of 95 km/h, Rachel was expected to weaken but could bring significant rainfall to the area. The Pacific has seen heightened tropical storm activity this season, attributed to the influence of a strong El Niño climate pattern.
Meanwhile, Hurricane Isaias, expected to make landfall on the U.S. Gulf Coast late Friday or Saturday, marked a notable development during the Atlantic hurricane season, which had been relatively quiet until its formation.
