Hurricane Simon intensified into a Category 4 storm on Saturday as it moved toward the west-central coast of Mexico. The National Hurricane Center in Miami reported that the storm reached maximum sustained winds of 155 mph, positioning it just below Category 5 status, which begins at 157 mph.
The storm's strengthening follows a period of rapid intensification reported on Friday, October 9. Forecasters expect the hurricane to approach the coastline on Sunday as a major hurricane, a classification for storms reaching Category 3 or higher with winds of at least 111 mph. AccuWeather meteorologist Tyler Roys noted that Simon may represent the most significant impact to this region since Hurricane Lidia in 2023.
As of Saturday night, Simon was located approximately 65 miles south-southwest of Manzanillo, moving north at 5 mph. Authorities in Jalisco state suspended classes for Monday in 22 coastal municipalities and began evacuations in high-risk areas. The Mexican Navy activated emergency personnel in Colima and restricted maritime traffic, closing ports to small vessels and barring larger ships from operating in Michoacan.
In Puerto Vallarta, businesses and hotels began boarding windows on Saturday morning. The National Hurricane Center warned of a dangerous storm surge and destructive waves to the east of where the storm makes landfall. Isolated rainfall totals could reach up to 30 inches in parts of Michoacan, Colima, Jalisco, and Nayarit, creating conditions for flooding and mudslides.
The storm’s impact will be immediately noticeable through the suspension of public services, such as the school closures in 22 municipalities effective Monday, and the closure of major maritime ports that handle international shipping. Travelers and workers in the tourism industry were advised to be in safe zones or shelters by Friday afternoon. The rapid intensification of Simon marks a continuation of an active Pacific hurricane season, occurring shortly after Hurricane Polo caused flooding and utility damage in the region during the previous week.
The next steps for the region involve monitoring the storm's landfall, which is projected for Sunday between Manzanillo and Puerto Vallarta. Forecasters noted that Simon could weaken rapidly if its core moves fully onshore after landfall. Local Civil Protection officials will determine when it is safe for businesses to reopen and for evacuated residents to return to their homes once the storm surge and primary rainfall threats have passed.