Hurricane Simon Weakens to Category 1 While Moving Slowly West of Mexico

Hurricane Simon weakened to Category 1 status on Tuesday morning while moving slowly westward in the eastern Pacific. At 8 a.m. MST the centre was near 20.3°N, 107.3°W, roughly 165 km west of Cabo Corrientes and 335 km south-southwest of Mazatlán. Maximum sustained winds were near 90 mph (150 km/h) with a central pressure of 977 mb. The storm was moving west at about 2 mph.

The National Hurricane Center forecast little change in intensity over the next day or two, with Simon expected to remain a hurricane through mid-week before an eventual turn to the north. Hurricane-force winds extend outward only about 10 miles from the centre. A hurricane watch is in effect from north of Escuinapa to Bahía Tempehuaya and for Las Islas Marías. A tropical storm watch covers Cabo Corrientes to Escuinapa. Interests in west-central Mexico and Baja California Sur were advised to monitor updates.

Simon reached Category 4 strength with 250 km/h winds on 11 October before gradual weakening. By early Tuesday it had dropped from Category 2. The slow movement increases the chance of prolonged rainfall over coastal areas even if the centre stays offshore. No immediate landfall is forecast. Mexican authorities adjusted the watches after the latest advisory.

The storm is one of several that have formed in the eastern Pacific this season. Its current track keeps the strongest winds well away from the mainland for the next 48 hours, but any northward turn later in the week could bring it closer to the coast. Residents in the watch areas have been told to prepare for possible tropical-storm or hurricane conditions. The next complete advisory is scheduled for later on Tuesday.

Shipping interests in the area have been alerted to the slow-moving system. No casualties or significant damage have been reported so far from Simon. The hurricane’s small wind field means that conditions can change quickly near the centre but remain relatively quiet a short distance away. Further weakening or re-intensification will depend on sea-surface temperatures and wind shear over the next several days.