Hurricane Priscilla strengthens to Category 2 off Pacific coast of Mexico; Baja California Sur issues watches and opens shelters
Hurricane Priscilla has strengthened to a Category 2 storm with maximum sustained winds of about 100 mph, centered roughly 260 miles west‑southwest of Cabo Corrientes and 230 miles south of the southern tip of Baja California, and the NHC says it could approach major‑hurricane strength before weakening later in the week. Tropical‑storm watches are in effect for Baja California Sur from Cabo San Lucas to Santa Fe and along the coast from Manzanillo to Punta Mita; Baja California Sur has canceled classes in Los Cabos and La Paz and opened about a dozen shelters as forecasters warn of 4–6 inches (10–15 cm) of rain in parts of Michoacán and Colima and life‑threatening swells and rip currents along the coast.
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📌 Key Facts
- Hurricane Priscilla has strengthened to a Category 2 storm with maximum sustained winds of about 100 mph (160 km/h).
- The storm was located roughly 260 miles west‑southwest of Cabo Corrientes and about 230 miles south of the southern tip of Baja California.
- Tropical‑storm watches are in effect for Baja California Sur from Cabo San Lucas to Santa Fe and for the Pacific coast from Manzanillo to Punta Mita.
- The National Hurricane Center expects Priscilla to intensify and could be at or near major‑hurricane strength later Tuesday, with weakening forecast to begin Wednesday; swells are already producing life‑threatening surf and dangerous rip currents along the coast.
- Outer bands are expected to bring heavy rain and raise flash‑flood risk in parts of southwestern Mexico, with locations in Michoacán and Colima forecast to receive up to about 4 inches (10 cm) of rain.
- Baja California Sur authorities canceled classes in Los Cabos and La Paz and opened about a dozen shelters in advance of the storm.
- Context: Tropical Storm Octave was reported weakening about 795 miles southwest of the southern tip of Baja California.
📰 Sources (3)
Hurricane Priscilla strengthens to a Category 2 storm as it runs along the Pacific coast of Mexico
New information:
- National Hurricane Center lists Priscilla with maximum sustained winds of 100 mph (Category 2).
- Precise location given: ~260 miles west‑southwest of Cabo Corrientes and ~230 miles south of the southern tip of Baja California.
- Baja California Sur announced cancellation of classes in Los Cabos and La Paz and set up a dozen shelters.
- Forecast detail: Priscilla could be at or near major hurricane strength later Tuesday, with weakening beginning Wednesday; up to 4 inches (10 cm) of rain possible in parts of Michoacán and Colima.
- Context: Tropical Storm Octave noted as weakening about 795 miles southwest of the southern tip of Baja California.
Hurricane Priscilla lashes western Mexico with heavy rain and strong winds
New information:
- Priscilla has strengthened to a hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 85 mph (140 kph).
- Tropical-storm watches now in effect for Baja California Sur from Cabo San Lucas to Santa Fe and for the coast from Manzanillo to Punta Mita.
- Forecasters warn parts of southwestern Mexico (Michoacán and Colima) could receive up to 6 inches (15 cm) of rain from Priscilla’s outer bands, raising flash‑flood risk.
- NHC expects Priscilla to intensify to Category 2 and approach major‑hurricane strength over the next several days; swells producing life‑threatening surf and rip currents are already reaching the coast.