Hurricane Rachel intensifies to category 3 off the Mexican Pacific coast
Hurricane Rachel has undergone rapid intensification this Thursday, reaching category 3 on the Saffir-Simpson scale while maintaining its path through Pacific waters off the Mexican coast. The meteorological phenomenon remains under strict surveillance due to its potential impact on coastal areas.
According to the most recent meteorological reports, the center of the cyclone was located 390 kilometers south of Cabo San Lucas, in Baja California Sur, and 415 kilometers west-southwest of Cabo Corrientes, Jalisco. The system has maximum sustained winds of 195 kilometers per hour, with gusts reaching 240 kilometers per hour, moving west-northwest at a speed of six kilometers per hour.
Impact and rainfall forecast
Rachel’s evolution has triggered preventive alerts due to the possibility of significant rainfall and adverse maritime conditions. The following effects are expected:
- Heavy rains between 15 and 150 millimeters in the states of Baja California Sur and Sinaloa.
- Very strong precipitation, estimated between 50 and 75 millimeters, for Nayarit and Jalisco.
- High waves that could reach up to 4 meters in height in the coastal areas near its path.
Meteorological authorities warn that the rainfall generated by this hurricane could cause landslides, a dangerous increase in river and stream levels, as well as overflows and flooding in low-lying areas of the states under alert.
Wind conditions and hurricane season
In addition to the rains, sustained winds of 40 to 50 kilometers per hour are expected, with gusts that could range between 60 and 70 kilometers per hour on the coasts of Baja California Sur. In the regions of Sinaloa, Nayarit, and Jalisco, winds of 20 to 30 kilometers per hour are anticipated, with gusts of up to 60 kilometers per hour.
This event occurs during an active season for the Mexican Pacific, where the formation of between 18 and 21 named cyclones is estimated throughout the year. Civil protection agencies urge citizens to stay informed through official channels and follow safety recommendations to safeguard their lives in the face of Rachel’s progression.
