Genevieve becomes a Category 5 hurricane but is not expected to make landfall
Genevieve intensified to Category 5 with 160 mph winds, the first such East Pacific hurricane in two years, but it is expected to stay well offshore along a path near the Mexican coast. Forecasters noted life-threatening surf and rip currents along parts of southwestern Mexico and the Baja California Peninsula as swells spread from the storm. The system’s center was roughly 530 miles southwest of Manzanillo, moving northwest at about 13 mph, and weakening is anticipated starting Tuesday. Meanwhile, Hurricane Fausto weakened to a Category 1 and is forecast to become a tropical storm in the coming days, though it may still generate large surf for Hawaii. The broader implication is ongoing active Pacific hurricane activity with potential coastal surf impacts despite the lack of landfall risk for Genevieve.
Dive Deeper:
Genevieve reached Category 5 status with maximum sustained winds of 160 mph (260 kph), marking a rare intensity milestone for the East Pacific in recent years.
The hurricane’s center lay approximately 530 miles (855 kilometers) southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico, and its motion was northwest at about 13 mph (20 kph).
There were no coastal watches or warnings issued for Genevieve, but swells were already affecting portions of Mexico’s southwestern coast and the Baja California Peninsula, posing life-threatening surf and rip current hazards.
Forecasters expect Genevieve to begin weakening starting Tuesday, reducing its intensity but maintaining surf impacts for coastal areas as it stays offshore.
Farther northwest, Fausto weakened to a Category 1 hurricane and is on a path toward the general vicinity of Hawaii, with expectations to downgrade to a tropical storm in the coming days.
Fausto’s current position was about 670 miles (1,080 kilometers) east of Hilo, Hawaii, moving west-northwest at 14 mph (22 kph), indicating continued surf risks even as wind strength diminished.