Archive · 10 Oct 2026
Hurricane Simon Strengthens to Category 4 Off Mexico
Hurricane Simon became a very strong Category 4 storm near Mexico’s Pacific coast.
On Saturday morning, it was south of the city of Manzanillo and moving north.
Forecasters said it could get a little stronger before reaching land.
People in parts of the coast were told to prepare for the storm.
The hurricane could bring very heavy rain, strong winds and high waves.
These could cause floods and mudslides, especially in mountainous places.
The storm was expected to be near or just inland of Mexico’s west-central coast on Sunday.
Dangerous ocean conditions could continue as the storm’s waves spread along the coast.
Hurricane Simon reached Category 4 strength off Mexico’s Pacific coast, with sustained winds of 150 mph Saturday morning.
The storm was about 115 miles south-southwest of Manzanillo and moving northward.
A hurricane warning covered parts of the coast south of Puerto Vallarta, including Manzanillo and the Islas Marias; a tropical storm watch extended toward Lazaro Cardenas.
Forecasters expected 10 to 20 inches of rain through Sunday, with isolated totals up to 30 inches in parts of Michoacan, Colima and Jalisco.
The National Hurricane Center warned of potentially life-threatening flooding, mudslides, storm surge and destructive waves as Simon approached the coast.
- Who
- Hurricane Simon and people in parts of Mexico’s Pacific coastal states.
- What
- Simon strengthened to a Category 4 hurricane, bringing threats of damaging winds, heavy rain, flooding, mudslides and storm surge.
- When
- Saturday, October 10; the storm was forecast near or just inland of the coast on Sunday.
- Where
- Off Mexico’s Pacific coast, about 115 miles south-southwest of Manzanillo on Saturday morning.
- Why
- Simon was approaching the coast, and its intense winds and heavy rainfall could cause destructive and life-threatening impacts.
- Storm category
- Category 4
- Maximum sustained winds
- 150 mph (240 kph)
- Saturday morning location
- About 115 miles (185 km) south-southwest of Manzanillo
- Expected rainfall
- 10 to 20 inches (25 to 51 cm), with isolated totals up to 30 inches (76 cm)
- Rainfall period
- Through Sunday
- Hurricane warning
- Parts of Mexico’s Pacific coast south of Puerto Vallarta, including Manzanillo and the Islas Marias
- Tropical storm watch
- Farther south toward Lazaro Cardenas