Simon, a Category 2 hurricane, churns up the Pacific coast, heading for Puerto Vallarta

Hurricane Simon continues to churn slowly off Mexico’s Pacific coast on Monday, pounding western states with dangerous winds, heavy rain and ​flooding that put coastal communities on alert for possible evacuations.

With its center still whirling parallel to the coast, Simon’s most damaging winds and rain were forecast to persist near the Puerto Vallarta area.

Maximum sustained winds had decreased to near 110 mph (175 km/h) late Sunday and the storm had weakened to a Category 2 hurricane, though it was featuring gusts of up to 135 mph (220 km/h).

As of 6 a.m., the hurricane was located approximately 80 kilometers west-southwest of Cabo Corrientes (just south of Puerto Vallarta), and 120 km southwest of Punta Mita, Nayarit.

Simon is skirting the coast at approximately 3 km/h and is expected to continue northwest through Tuesday before turning northeast and approaching the coast late Wednesday.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center said hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 15 miles (30 km) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 60 miles (95 km).

Although some weakening is forecast through Monday, Simon could re-intensify on Tuesday and Wednesday and is expected to remain a hurricane until landfall. 

Heavy rains of up to 6 to 8 inches are forecast for parts of Jalisco and Nayarit Monday and Tuesday, while Sinaloa is expected to see similar rainfall on Wednesday and Thursday.

10/11 – Hurricane #Simon continues to parallel the Jalisco coast with max winds of 105 kt. Simon-generated swells will bring life-threatening surf and rip currents to portions of SW and west-central Mexico over the next few days.
More: https://t.co/Wk7xxBlxYC #GOESWest #marinewx https://t.co/sMQI2gz8wI

— NHC_TAFB (@NHC_TAFB) October 12, 2026

Sustained winds of 60 to 80 km/h with gusts of 90 to 100 km/h are expected in Jalisco, but should decrease throughout Monday, while Nayarit and Sinaloa can expect to see winds of 30 to 40 km/h with gusts of 50 to 60 km/h. 

Additionally, waves of 4 to 5 meters high (up to 16 feet) are evident along the Jalisco coast, with waves from 2.5 to 3.5 meters high (up to 11 feet) on the coasts of Nayarit and Sinaloa.

At the same time, isolated heavy rainfall is forecast for portions of the states of Michoacán and Colima.

President Claudia Sheinbaum on Monday urged residents of affected states to stay informed and follow Civil Protection recommendations as life-threatening flooding and mudslides are a real possibility.

The National Meteorological Service issued a Hurricane Warning area extending from Playa Pérula, Jalisco, to El Roblito, Nayarit — including the Islas Marías — and a Hurricane Watch area extending from El Roblito, Nayarit, to Bahía Tempehuaya, Sinaloa.

With reports from IMER Noticias, The New York Times, Reuters, CNN and CBS News