Hurricane Vance strengthens off Guerrero; no warnings for Baja California Sur
The storm is about 730 km from Acapulco with 150 km/h winds and moving slowly; swells will reach southern and southwestern Mexico this weekend.
Hurricane Vance was strengthening on the morning of Friday, October 23, in the Pacific off the coast of Guerrero, with no coastal watches or warnings in effect, according to Advisory 9 from the U.S. National Hurricane Center, issued at 9:00 a.m. Central time. Baja California Sur is not among the areas under threat in official forecasts.
The center of the hurricane was about 455 miles (730 km) southwest of Acapulco and about 590 miles (950 km) southeast of Manzanillo. It had maximum sustained winds of 90 mph (150 km/h) and was moving northwest at about 5 mph (8 km/h).
What to expect
Forecasters expect steady to rapid strengthening through Saturday morning, when Vance could become a major hurricane, followed by slow weakening Saturday night and Sunday. Over the next five days, the system is forecast to move slowly north-northwest and north.
Swells generated by the hurricane are expected to begin reaching the coast of southern and southwestern Mexico this weekend, bringing life-threatening surf and rip currents that will continue into next week.
What it means for Los Cabos and La Paz
There is no direct risk to the state for now, but the Pacific tropical cyclone season officially runs through November 30. Just a week ago, Tropical Storm Simon kept state Civil Protection on watch for 25 to 50 millimeters of rain in La Paz, Los Cabos and part of Comondú.
Late-season storm tracks can shift within days, so residents should keep following advisories from Mexico's National Weather Service (SMN) and Baja California Sur Civil Protection.
Recommendations
- Rely only on official channels; advisories are updated every six hours.
- Anyone heading south to fish or sail should first check port status with the Harbor Master's office (Capitanía de Puerto).
- During any rain, do not cross arroyos or flooded dips, Civil Protection's standing advice every season.
- Keep the 911 emergency number handy.
Related
The system sits 810 km south of Acapulco and could become a major hurricane this weekend, but its forecast track keeps it more than 800 km from Los Cabos.
Public Services crews are clearing the San José Viejo ford and the City Club area; municipal Civil Protection is monitoring possible rain on Monday, Oct. 19, and Tuesday, Oct. 20.
The State Civil Protection Council expects the tropical storm to weaken to a depression Friday afternoon; Hurricane Trudy is not expected to affect Baja California Sur.
State Civil Protection expects the system to decay into a tropical depression and remnant low between Friday and Sunday; only the port of La Paz remains open.