06 / 10
Hurricane Simon reaches Category 4 near Mexico
Simon reached Category 4 as Mexico prepared its Pacific coast for rain, surf and hurricane-force winds.
What happened
Hurricane Simon strengthened to Category 4 in the Pacific and moved toward Mexico’s western coast, prompting warnings and preparations in Jalisco and Colima, including Puerto Vallarta. Forecasts placed the most immediate threats on coastal areas from heavy rain, high surf and hurricane-force winds, with landfall expected over the weekend.
Numbers
- Category 4Simon’s peak reported strength — A major hurricane classification
- 230 km/hReported maximum sustained winds — At Category 4 strength
- 25–50 cmForecast rainfall in southwest Mexico — Some areas forecast above 75 cm
Questions
- Which areas were under alert?
- Authorities kept Jalisco, Colima, Michoacán, Guerrero and Oaxaca on alert, while hurricane-wind watches ran from Punta Mita to San Blas.
- How did Simon develop?
- Simon developed from Tropical Depression Twenty-E on Wednesday, then gained strength over the Pacific while tracking northwest toward western Mexico.
- How extensive was the rainfall forecast?
- Forecasters expected torrential rain across southwestern Mexico, with some places projected to receive substantially more precipitation than the wider affected area.
- What had Simon already affected?
- Before it became a hurricane, Simon brought heavy rain to Acapulco, where vehicles were submerged on flooded avenues.
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The catch
Coverage does not confirm Simon’s final landfall location, damage toll or the full effects after landfall.
Forecasts changed as the storm moved.