A tropical system churning in the Pacific Ocean has grown into Hurricane Rachel, now classified as a Category 2 storm as it moves near the coastline of Jalisco, a state on Mexico’s west coast best known internationally for the resort city of Puerto Vallarta.
According to meteorological reports cited by the Mexican outlet Informador.mx, the storm’s intensification places it on the stronger end of the Saffir-Simpson wind scale, the five-category system used to measure hurricane strength. Category 2 storms typically bring sustained winds strong enough to cause significant damage to roofs, trees, and power lines, and they can also generate dangerous storm surge and heavy rainfall along coastal areas.
Mexican civil protection officials are reportedly keeping a close watch on Rachel’s trajectory, since shifts in direction or further strengthening could affect coastal communities in Jalisco and neighboring states. Hurricane season in the Eastern Pacific typically runs from mid-May through November, and storms forming off Mexico’s Pacific coast are not unusual during this period, though their intensity and paths vary widely each year.
Residents and tourists in the region are advised to stay alert to official updates as the storm’s position and strength continue to be assessed. For the full details on Hurricane Rachel’s current track, wind speeds, and any warnings issued for Jalisco, read the original report from informador.mx.
Source: Huracán Rachel evoluciona a categoría 2 frente a las costas de Jalisco (informador.mx).
Image: NASA Goddard Photo and Video, BY 2.0 (via Openverse).