Hurricane Simon strengthened into a powerful Category 4 storm off Mexico’s Pacific coast on October 10, 2026, packing maximum sustained winds of 150 mph. The U.S. National Hurricane Center warned that the storm threatens destructive winds, a dangerous storm surge, and life-threatening flooding before reaching landfall.
Hurricane Simon rapidly intensified off the western coast of Mexico, strengthening into a powerful Category 4 storm on Saturday, October 10, 2026. The U.S. National Hurricane Center reported that the storm was located about 185 kilometres south-southwest of Manzanillo in the morning, packing maximum sustained winds of 240 km/h as it tracked northward.
Strong winds could damage homes and businesses, while flooding and mudslides could wash out roads and make it difficult for emergency crews to reach some communities, according to the meteorologist. Forecasters expected the major hurricane to approach or move just inland of the west-central coast of Mexico late Saturday or early Sunday. Le Nouvelliste added that the cyclone was situated approximately 355 kilometres south of Manzanillo and 525 kilometres south-southeast of Cabo Corrientes before its anticipated northward turn.
Emergency Warnings and Coastal Preparations in Jalisco and Manzanillo
A tropical storm watch extended further south toward Lázaro Cárdenas, and American weather services noted that hurricane alerts covered central and southwestern coastal zones anticipating hurricane-force winds within 36 hours.
Tourism operators in Puerto Vallarta were instructed to ensure workers and visitors found safe shelter by Friday afternoon as convenience stores, hotels, and other local businesses boarded up windows and placed sandbags at entrances under overcast skies where few people walked the streets.
Heavy Rainfall and Storm Surges Threaten Southwestern Mexico
The hurricane center projected total rainfall accumulations of 10 to 20 inches (25 to 51 cm) across portions of southwestern Mexico through Sunday, with isolated maximum amounts reaching up to 30 inches (76 centimetres) in parts of Michoacan, Colima, and Jalisco, while Le Nouvelliste reported foreign forecasters warning that 20 to 38 centimetres of rain could fall with isolated totals reaching up to 63 centimetres. Heavy rains were also expected to impact Guerrero, Michoacán, Colima, and Jalisco.
In addition to inland flooding, forecasters warned of a dangerous storm surge accompanied by large, destructive waves along the immediate coast near and to the east of the landfall point. The severe weather follows Hurricane Polo, which struck the Baja California Peninsula the previous week and left behind downed utility poles, damaged property, and flooded streets. Meanwhile, Le Nouvelliste noted that further north, Tropical Storm Rachel threatened Baja California, northwestern Mexico, and Southern California with 95 km/h winds, while a powerful El Niño season also fueled heightened Pacific activity and influenced Atlantic storm patterns.