Hurricane Rachel Regains Category 2 Strength off Baja California Sur
Hurricane Rachel intensified into a Category 2 storm on the Saffir-Simpson scale on Sunday, October 4, 2026, packing maximum sustained winds of 165 kilometers per hour while generating high waves along Mexico’s western coastline.
Wind Speeds and Distance from Baja California Sur
The United States National Hurricane Center (NHC) reported that at 08:00 hours on Sunday, Rachel was located approximately 500 kilometers southwest of the southern tip of Baja California. The system moved west-northwest at a speed of nine kilometers per hour. Infobae.com noted that earlier in the storm’s lifecycle on Thursday, October 1, the cyclone had briefly reached Category 2 strength before fluctuating. By Sunday morning, the storm’s central pressure was recorded at 965 hectopascal. At 09:00 hours, the center of the hurricane was located 500 kilometers southwest of Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur, with wind gusts reaching 205 kilometers per hour. Rachel had dropped to Category 1 on Friday, October 2, before regaining strength between the night of Saturday, October 3, and Sunday morning; at 21:00 hours on October 3, sustained winds rose to 150 kilometers per hour, reaching 160 kilometers per hour during Sunday’s early hours.
Rainfall Forecast Across Affected Mexican States
Infobae.com reported that Rachel’s circulation brings very strong rainfall accumulations of 50 to 75 millimeters to the southern part of Baja California Sur.
Coastal Waves and Maritime Warnings
Infobae.com documented that coastal areas in Baja California Sur face waves reaching four to six meters in height, alongside sustained winds of 40 to 50 kilometers per hour and gusts of 60 to 70 kilometers per hour. Meanwhile, the littorals of Sinaloa, Nayarit, Colima, and Jalisco experience elevated waves ranging between three and four meters. Port authorities maintain restrictions for minor vessels and marine tourism operations across these zones. The coast of Baja California Sur will register sustained winds of 30 to 40 kilometers per hour with gusts of 50 to 70 kilometers per hour, while Sinaloa, Nayarit, and Jalisco experience sustained winds of 20 to 30 kilometers per hour with gusts between 40 and 60 kilometers per hour.
Projected Weakening Track Over Open Water
The Servicio Meteorológico Nacional forecasts a gradual weakening trend for Rachel as the system continues its trajectory farther out over the open waters of the Pacific Ocean. Federal authorities advise residents and tourists in coastal areas of the Baja California Peninsula and western mainland Mexico to monitor official civil protection updates and avoid maritime recreational activities until sea conditions normalize.
