Brief
Hurricane Rachel reaches Category 3 off Mexico as US warns of dangerous surf
The storm is moving slowly west‑northwest, bringing life‑threatening surf and heavy rain forecasts for Baja California Sur, Sinaloa and Jalisco.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Hurricane Rachel has intensified into a Category 3 system off Mexico's Pacific coast, the Independent reports, with maximum sustained winds of 120 mph (193 km/h) as of Thursday evening.
The storm is positioned about 235 miles (380 km) south of the southern tip of Baja California and is crawling west‑northwest at roughly 3 mph (6 km/h). Forecasters at the National Hurricane Center expect further strengthening on Friday before a gradual weakening over the weekend.
Swells generated by Rachel are expected to produce life‑threatening surf and dangerous rip currents along the Mexican shoreline, prompting the NHC to advise caution. Mexican authorities said they remain on alert for very heavy rain in Baja California Sur, Sinaloa and Jalisco, warning of landslides, rising river levels and flooding in low‑lying areas.
The U.S. Embassy in Mexico warned American citizens in Cabo San Lucas of possible beach and port closures and deadly rip currents. The Pacific hurricane season has been unusually active, a trend the outlet attributes to El Niño, which has warmed waters and altered wind patterns that fuel storms.
While Rachel churns offshore, Tropical Storm Nolo continues its northwest approach away from Hawaii, with the National Weather Service noting it could strengthen into a hurricane by the weekend. Northern Mexico is still coping with the aftermath of Hurricane Polo, which left at least 13 municipalities flooded and hundreds of residents displaced, including Lucia Vegas of Bacabachi, Sonora, who described surviving severe flooding that rendered her family homeless.
Key facts
- Hurricane Rachel reached Category 3 with 120 mph winds off Mexico's Pacific coast. (independent.co.uk)
- The storm is about 235 miles south of Baja California's southern tip, moving west‑northwest at 3 mph. (independent.co.uk)
- Mexican authorities warned of heavy rain, landslides and flooding in Baja California Sur, Sinaloa and Jalisco. (independent.co.uk)
- The U.S. Embassy advised Americans in Cabo San Lucas of beach closures and dangerous rip currents. (independent.co.uk)
- El Niño is cited as a factor behind the unusually busy Pacific hurricane season. (independent.co.uk)
Sources
- [1] independent.co.uk — originally reported as “Hurricane Rachel intensifies to Category 3 off Mexico coast as US hit by flooding”
