Hurricane Simon rapidly intensified to Category 4 strength Saturday, reaching sustained winds of 150 mph as it approached Mexico’s west-central coast, the National Hurricane Center said.
Forecasters urged people in the hurricane warning area to finish preparations Saturday morning. Simon could strengthen further before reaching the coast as a major hurricane Saturday evening or early Sunday.
The center was about 120 miles south-southwest of Manzanillo at 6 a.m. CST Saturday, Oct. 10, moving north at 5 mph. The forecast puts Simon near the coast or just inland early Sunday.
A hurricane warning covers the coast from Punta San Telmo to El Roblito and Las Islas Marias. A tropical storm watch extends east of Punta San Telmo to Lazaro Cardenas.
Tropical storm conditions are expected as soon as Saturday afternoon in the hurricane warning area, making outdoor preparations difficult or dangerous. Hurricane conditions are expected in its southern portion early Sunday, with winds spreading northward afterward.
Tropical storm conditions are also possible in the watch area beginning Saturday afternoon.
The rainfall forecast calls for 10 to 20 inches across parts of southwestern Mexico through Sunday. Some locations in Michoacan, Colima, Jalisco and Nayarit could receive as much as 30 inches.
The hurricane center warned that the rain would cause flooding and mudslides that threaten lives, particularly on steep terrain.
A dangerous storm surge is expected along the immediate coast near and east of the landfall point. Large, destructive waves will accompany the surge.
Swells will also reach stretches of Mexico’s southwestern and west-central shoreline over the next few days. Forecasters warned of dangerous surf and rip currents that could threaten lives.
Simon’s hurricane-force winds reached as far as 15 miles from its center, while tropical-storm-force winds extended up to 70 miles. Its estimated minimum central pressure was 938 millibars.
An Air Force reconnaissance aircraft was scheduled to investigate Simon later Saturday. Forecasters said more coastal watches or warnings could be needed and urged residents to follow local updates from their national meteorological service.
Editor’s note: This report is based on the National Hurricane Center’s 6 a.m. CST advisory issued Oct. 10, 2026. Storm conditions and forecasts may change. Follow the latest official advisories and local emergency instructions.
