HomeBaja California Peninsula
Baja California PeninsulaNewsNorth-Central Pacific Coast

2 possible hurricanes are forming off Mexico’s west coast

MND Staff
By MND Staff
3
hurricane map
A map from U.S. weather monitors shows the two storm systems' proximity to each other off the Sinaloa and Baja California Sur coasts. Though they're not classified as tropical storms yet, let alone hurricanes, they have a 50%-60% of cyclonic development by the weekend. (NOAA)

Mexico’s National Meteorological Service (SMN) is closely monitoring two weather systems in the Pacific Ocean, with concerns that they could develop into hurricanes in the coming days. 

By Wednesday morning, the Tropical Wave 8 weather system was located 760 kilometers southwest of Cabo San Lucas in Baja California Sur and moving in a west-northwest direction at a forward speed of 24-32 km/h. It had a 50% probability of cyclonic development within 48 hours as well as over the following seven days, according to Mexico’s National Water Commission (Conagua). 

The SMN also identified the imminent formation of a second low-pressure area in the same region, with a higher cyclonic development probability of 60% for the next seven days. Both systems are located over warm waters, which could cause them to intensify more.

If these systems strengthen to reach sustained winds exceeding 63 km/h, they will be classified as tropical storms and assigned the names Douglas and Elida, as designated by the official 2026 season list. 

The possibility of a Fujiwhara Effect

Experts are following the situation closely because the proximity of the two storms to each other could lead to a rare phenomenon known as the Fujiwhara Effect, which would happen if they both strengthen and approach each other closely.

The Fujiwhara Effect is named after the Japanese meteorologist Sakuhei Fujiwhara, who was the first to describe the behavior of two tropical storms as they approach each other. 

When two active tropical systems are within approximately 1,400 kilometers of each other, the circulation patterns of both can influence each other, and the systems can begin to rotate around a common point, generating a kind of spiraling atmospheric dance.

One of two things can happen in such a case. Either the stronger storm can absorb the weaker one, increasing its intensity and destructive potential, or, if both systems are of similar intensity, they can orbit each other for several days before separating or potentially merging into a single weather phenomenon. 

The Fujiwhara Effect complicates the prediction of hurricane movements, since meteorological models are not designed to simulate the trajectories of two storms interacting. 

With reports from Informador, Record and Eje Central

3 COMMENTS

Have something to say? Paid Subscribers get all access to make & read comments.
border wall construction

US border wall expansion threatens memory of Porvenir massacre

MND Staff - 0
An access road for construction on the U.S.-Mexico border wall in West Texas threatens the archaeological landscape of Porvenir, the site of a 1918 massacre of ethnic Mexican villagers.
Mexican firefighters deployed to British Columbia

Mexico sends over 300 firefighters to British Columbia

MND Staff - 3
The arrival of Mexican firefighting crews comes as western Canada battles more than 100 active wildfires and maintains evacuation and monitoring operations in dozens of communities in the Thompson/Okanagan region.
Mexican Navy troops deployed in Mazatlán

Navy ramps up security presence in Mazatlán after high July homicide count

MND Staff - 0
After Mazatlán in July recorded its highest monthly homicide total of the year, the Mexican Navy on Saturday announced the deployment of more than 1,700 of its personnel to the Sinaloa port and resort city.
BETA Version - Powered by Perplexity

VIDEO OF THE WEEK