Hurricane Simon intensifies to Category 4 as it approaches western Mexico

Hurricane Simon has strengthened into a Category 4 storm off the Pacific coast of Mexico and is expected to make landfall on Sunday, UPI and AP News reported. According to the National Hurricane Center, cited by UPI, the storm had maximum sustained winds of 150 mph and was moving north at 1 mph. [1][5][7][8][9][10]

UPI reported that as of noon CST on Saturday, the storm was located 115 miles south-southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico, and approximately 215 miles south-southeast of Cabo Corrientes. Officials have issued hurricane warnings for the coast stretching from Punta San Telmo to El Roblito, as well as Las Islas Marias. [1]

A tropical storm watch is also in place for the region east of Punta San Telmo to Lazaro Cardenas, according to UPI. The National Hurricane Center warned residents to expedite preparations to protect life and property ahead of the severe weather. [1]

The 2026 Pacific hurricane season officially began on May 15 and will run through November 30. It has tied the records for 1994, 2002, and 2018 for having the highest number of Category 5 hurricanes in a single season. [12]