National Hurricane Center predicts Hurricane Rachel will reach major hurricane strength
Hurricane Rachel strengthened off southwestern Mexico on September 30, 2026. The National Hurricane Center projects the storm will reach 120 mph winds by October 1.
Why it mattersDangerous surf, rip currents, and tropical-storm conditions threaten southwestern Mexico and Baja California.
What's likely next
- The NHC forecast Rachel could become a major hurricane by October 1, possibly sooner; its forecast advisory projected 105 kt (120 mph) winds at 1800 UTC October 1.
All coverage
The coverage
- Maps: Tracking Hurricane RachelThe New York Times · Sep 30
- Rachel becomes a hurricane along Mexico's Pacific coastUpi · Sep 28
- Storm Polo weakens over Mexico as Rachel gathers strength offshoreReuters · Sep 29
- Hurricane Rachel Public AdvisoryGov
- Hurricane Polo lashes Mexico with life-threatening flooding as Tropical Storm Rachel churns in the PacificFOX Weather · Sep 27
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