Archive · 9 Oct 2026
Storm Simon Forecast to Strengthen Before Reaching Mexico
Tropical Storm Simon was moving across the Pacific toward Mexico.
Forecasters said it could grow into a very strong hurricane before reaching the coast.
On Thursday, it was south of Manzanillo and moving slowly west.
It was expected to turn north on Friday and get closer to Mexico over the weekend.
A hurricane watch covered the coast from Manzanillo to Punta Mita.
Heavy rain could cause floods and mudslides, especially in mountains.
Strong waves and rising seawater could also be dangerous near the coast.
AccuWeather said some of Simon’s rain might reach parts of the southwestern United States next week.
The National Hurricane Center forecast Simon to strengthen rapidly into a major hurricane before approaching Mexico’s Pacific coast this weekend.
At midday Thursday, Simon was about 245 miles south of Manzanillo, moving west at 5 mph with sustained winds of 65 mph.
A hurricane watch was in effect from Manzanillo to Punta Mita, with Simon expected to turn north on Friday and approach the coast late Saturday.
Forecasters warned of heavy rain, possible life-threatening flooding and mudslides, dangerous storm surge, and destructive coastal waves.
AccuWeather projected possible Sunday landfall with gusts of 120–130 mph and said moisture could bring rain to parts of the US Southwest next week.
- Who
- Tropical Storm Simon; the US National Hurricane Center and AccuWeather issued forecasts and warnings.
- What
- Simon was forecast to rapidly strengthen into a major hurricane and threaten Mexico’s Pacific coast.
- When
- The report was issued Thursday, October 8; the storm was expected to approach late Saturday, with possible landfall on Sunday.
- Where
- The Pacific coast of southwestern and west-central Mexico, with a hurricane watch from Manzanillo to Punta Mita.
- Why
- Simon was moving toward the coast and could bring destructive winds, heavy rainfall, flooding, mudslides, storm surge, and hazardous waves.
National Hurricane Center
AccuWeather
Forecast timing and intensity
National Hurricane Center
Simon was likely to become a hurricane later Thursday and intensify into a very dangerous Category 4 hurricane before reaching the coast; it was expected to approach late Saturday.
AccuWeather
AccuWeather said Simon could make landfall in western Mexico on Sunday, with gusts near the impact point of 120–130 mph.
Potential impacts
National Hurricane Center
The center warned of heavy rainfall, life-threatening flooding and mudslides, dangerous storm surge, and large destructive waves.
AccuWeather
AccuWeather estimated storm surge of up to 15 feet in the worst-hit areas and said moisture could bring rain to parts of the US Southwest next week.
- Storm status
- Tropical Storm Simon; the hurricane center said it was likely to become a hurricane later Thursday.
- Position Thursday midday
- About 245 miles (395 km) south of Manzanillo.
- Wind and movement
- Maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (100 kph); moving west at 5 mph.
- Forecast track
- Expected to turn north Friday and approach southwestern and west-central Mexico late Saturday.
- Hurricane watch
- From Manzanillo to Punta Mita.
- Rain forecast
- 8–15 inches (20–38 cm) across parts of southwestern Mexico through Sunday; isolated totals up to 25 inches (64 cm) in Michoacan, Colima, and Jalisco.
- AccuWeather landfall estimate
- Possible Sunday landfall, with gusts of 120–130 mph (193–209 kph) and storm surge up to 15 feet (4.6 meters) in the worst-hit areas.