MIAMI (AP) — In the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean, Hurricane Genevieve has surged to become a major hurricane. This powerful storm is projected to amplify its force as it navigates well southwest of Mexico, maintaining a distant path parallel to the coastline.
Packing maximum sustained winds of 120 mph (195 kph), Genevieve has attained Category 3 status, as reported by the National Hurricane Center in Miami. Any storm reaching Category 3 or above is classified as a major hurricane, underscoring its potential for destruction.
The eye of Genevieve was positioned approximately 515 miles (825 kilometers) southwest of the vibrant city of Manzanillo. It is currently advancing in a west-northwest direction at a speed of 16 mph (26 kph).
While no coastal watches or warnings are presently in force, the hurricane center warned on Sunday that the storm is generating swells that could bring “life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.” These perilous waves were already impacting stretches of Mexico’s southwestern coastline and were anticipated to reach the southern regions of the Baja California Peninsula by Sunday night or Monday.
Forecasters predict that Hurricane Genevieve will continue to gain strength before it begins to weaken by the middle of the week.
Farther northwest in the Pacific, Hurricane Fausto weakened to a Category 1 storm as it continued on a path in the general direction of the Hawaiian Islands.
Forecasters said Fausto was expected to be downgraded to a tropical storm in the coming days but warned that it could still generate significant surf for parts of Hawaii.
Fausto had maximum sustained winds of 85 mph (140 kph). It was located about 910 miles (1,465 kilometers) east of Hilo and was moving west at 14 mph (22 kph).