Hurricane Simon May Strengthen to Category 4 Near Mexico Coast

Hurricane Simon is approaching Mexico's Pacific coast with the potential to intensify into a Category 4 storm, threatening coastal communities with destructive winds, torrential rain and dangerous flooding. On Friday, October 9, 2026, the U.S. National Hurricane Center issued a hurricane warning for parts of the central and southwestern coast as the storm moved northwest toward the region.

Simon had maximum sustained winds of 120 kilometers per hour early Friday and was moving at 7 kilometers per hour, according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami. Its center was approximately 355 kilometers south of Manzanillo and 525 kilometers south-southeast of Cabo Corrientes.

Forecasters expected Simon to turn north by early Saturday and approach the coast, potentially strengthening rapidly into a Category 4 hurricane before landfall. Storms in this category have maximum sustained winds of 210 to 250 kilometers per hour under the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.

Hurricane-force winds were expected within 36 hours, while tropical storm conditions could reach coastal areas later Friday. The storm's projected rainfall posed an additional threat to communities across southwestern Mexico.

The National Hurricane Center forecast rainfall totals of 20 to 38 centimeters across southwestern Mexico, with isolated locations potentially receiving as much as 63 centimeters. Such rainfall could trigger life-threatening floods and mudslides, particularly in mountainous areas and locations with steep terrain.

A weather alert issued by the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City and the U.S. Consulate General in Guadalajara on Thursday, October 8, warned of potential impacts across Colima, Jalisco, Nayarit and Michoacan. The alert identified coastal areas between Manzanillo and Punta Mita as being under a hurricane watch at that time.

The diplomatic missions also warned that storm-driven ocean conditions could generate deadly rip currents and rogue waves. Authorities cautioned that flooding and mudslides could disrupt road travel, while flights could face delays or other interruptions.

The advisory urged residents and travelers to monitor local media and official weather bulletins, follow instructions from local authorities, check road conditions before traveling and prepare for possible sheltering or evacuation. It also advised people to avoid entering the water or walking on beaches during dangerous conditions and noted that emergency assistance was available through 911.

Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Rachel was forecast to approach Baja California, northwestern Mexico and Southern California during the weekend. Rachel had sustained winds of 95 kilometers per hour and was expected to weaken, although heavy rainfall remained possible.

Pacific tropical storm activity has been above average this season amid a strong El Niño, according to the weather report. The climate phenomenon typically suppresses storm activity in the Atlantic, where Hurricane Isaias was expected to reach the U.S. Gulf Coast late Friday or Saturday.